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

• 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

By offering such strong incentives, the federal government is effectively urging states to pursue these windfalls. —Ge Bai, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025

An inheritance often is seen as a financial windfall, but there are times when people may want to consider saying thanks, but no thanks. —Medora Lee, USA Today, 27 June 2025

The Trump Organization sold the hotel in 2022, and today, the first family sees far bigger windfalls from its crypto partners. —Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 27 June 2025

The windfall was one of a few big lottery wins in the Peach State this week. —Tanasia Kenney, Miami Herald, 26 June 2025

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