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

Advertisement But while more efficient monetization of natural resources would provide a shot in the arm, the crux is leveraging that windfall to diversify the economy beyond extractive industries—futureproofing economies for when commodity prices drop. —Charlie Campbell, Time, 30 Oct. 2025

Most of the beneficiaries of this windfall were already receiving Social Security and are now simply receiving higher monthly payouts. —Justin Fox, Twin Cities, 28 Oct. 2025

As to how the couple plans to use the unexpected windfall? —Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 25 Oct. 2025

That’s a $107,721 windfall of luck. —David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 25 Oct. 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