windfall

noun

wind·​fall ˈwin(d)-ˌfȯl 

1

: something (such as a tree or fruit) blown down by the wind

2

: an unexpected, unearned, or sudden gain or advantage

Synonyms of windfall

• benefit
• blessing
• boon
• gift

Examples of windfall in a Sentence

They received a windfall because of the tax cuts.

hitting the lottery jackpot was an incredible windfall for the recently laid-off worker

Recent Examples on the Web

Manufacturers of recycled plastic and paper, bamboo and bagasse-based packaging are enjoying an unexpected windfall as firms search for alternatives. —Angelica Ang, Fortune, 6 May 2026

But the high profits have led to calls for windfall taxes on these companies across multiple countries. —Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 2 May 2026

But if those programs play each other in the play-in rounds, as seems likely, any financial windfall would be a mirage when the little guys cannibalize each other. —Jim Alexander, Oc Register, 2 May 2026

But earnings issued by some of the world's largest oil companies in recent days presented a more complicated picture, as some touted a windfall and others reported a surprising decline in profits. —Max Zahn, ABC News, 1 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for windfall

• aldol
• armhole
• atoll
• awol
• backhaul
• banal
• baseball
• befall
• cabal
• catchall
• cecal
• centrale

Kids Definition

windfall

noun

wind·​fall -ˌfȯl 

1

: something (as a tree or fruit) blown down by the wind

2

: an unexpected gift, gain, or help