What is "fall" in English? Definition and Explanations

Updated: 01-05-2026 by Wikilanguages.net

What does fall mean in English? Meaning of fall definition and abbreviation with examples.

English	English

What is "fall" in English? Definition and Explanations

Meaning of "fall": the season when the leaves fall from the trees

Noun

Meaning: the season when the leaves fall from the trees

Example: in the fall of 1973

Synonyms: autumn fall

Hypernyms: season time of year

Part Holonyms: autumnal equinox fall equinox indian summer saint martin's summer september equinox

Meaning of "fall": descend in free fall under the influence of gravity

Verb

Meaning: descend in free fall under the influence of gravity

Example: The branch fell from the tree The unfortunate hiker fell into a crevasse

Synonyms: fall

Hypernyms: go locomote move travel

Meaning of "fall": a sudden drop from an upright position

Noun

Meaning: a sudden drop from an upright position

Example: he had a nasty spill on the ice

Synonyms: fall spill tumble

Hyponyms: pratfall wipeout

Hypernyms: slip trip

Meaning of "fall": move downward and lower, but not necessarily all the way

Verb

Meaning: move downward and lower, but not necessarily all the way

Example: The temperature is going down The barometer is falling The curtain fell on the diva Her hand went up and then fell again

Synonyms: come down descend fall go down

Hyponyms: abseil alight avalanche cascade cascade down climb down correct crash decline dismount dive drip drop flop get down get off go down go under light pitch plop plunge plunk pounce precipitate prolapse rappel roll down rope down set settle sink slump subside swoop topple tumble unhorse

Hypernyms: go locomote move travel

Antonyms: arise ascend come up go up lift move up rise uprise

Also see: break cave in collapse fall in founder give give way

Meaning of "fall": the lapse of mankind into sinfulness because of the sin of Adam and Eve

Noun

Meaning: the lapse of mankind into sinfulness because of the sin of Adam and Eve

Example: women have been blamed ever since the Fall

Synonyms: fall

Instance Hypernyms: event

Meaning of "fall": pass suddenly and passively into a state of body or mind

Verb

Meaning: pass suddenly and passively into a state of body or mind

Example: fall into a trap She fell ill They fell out of favor Fall in love fall asleep fall prey to an imposter fall into a strange way of thinking she fell to pieces after she lost her work

Synonyms: fall

Hyponyms: drop fall in love

Hypernyms: change state turn

Also see: break come apart crumble dawdle drop away drop off fall apart fall away fall back fall behind fall flat fall for fall through flop founder lag lose recede separate slip split up

Meaning of "fall": a downward slope or bend

Noun

Meaning: a downward slope or bend

Synonyms: declension declination decline declivity descent downslope fall

Hyponyms: downhill steep

Hypernyms: incline side slope

Antonyms: acclivity ascent climb raise rise upgrade

Meaning of "fall": come under, be classified or included

Verb

Meaning: come under, be classified or included

Example: fall into a category This comes under a new heading

Synonyms: come fall

Hypernyms: be

Meaning of "fall": a lapse into sin; a loss of innocence or of chastity

Noun

Meaning: a lapse into sin; a loss of innocence or of chastity

Example: a fall from virtue

Synonyms: fall

Hypernyms: sin sinning

Meaning of "fall": fall from clouds

Verb

Meaning: fall from clouds

Example: rain, snow and sleet were falling Vesuvius precipitated its fiery, destructive rage on Herculaneum

Synonyms: come down fall precipitate

Hyponyms: hail rain rain down sleet snow spat

Meaning of "fall": a sudden decline in strength or number or importance

Noun

Meaning: a sudden decline in strength or number or importance

Example: the fall of the House of Hapsburg

Synonyms: downfall fall

Hyponyms: anticlimax

Hypernyms: weakening

Antonyms: rise

Meaning of "fall": suffer defeat, failure, or ruin

Verb

Meaning: suffer defeat, failure, or ruin

Example: We must stand or fall fall by the wayside

Synonyms: fall

Hypernyms: fail go wrong miscarry

Meaning of "fall": a movement downward

Noun

Meaning: a movement downward

Example: the rise and fall of the tides

Synonyms: fall

Hypernyms: change of location travel

Antonyms: ascension ascent rise rising

Meaning of "fall": die, as in battle or in a hunt

Verb

Meaning: die, as in battle or in a hunt

Example: Many soldiers fell at Verdun Several deer have fallen to the same gun The shooting victim fell dead

Synonyms: fall

Hypernyms: buy the farm cash in one's chips choke conk croak decease die drop dead exit expire give-up the ghost go kick the bucket pass pass away perish pop off snuff it

Meaning of "fall": the act of surrendering (usually under agreed conditions)

Noun

Meaning: the act of surrendering (usually under agreed conditions)

Example: they were protected until the capitulation of the fort

Synonyms: capitulation fall surrender

Hypernyms: loss

Meaning of "fall": touch or seem as if touching visually or audibly

Verb

Meaning: touch or seem as if touching visually or audibly

Example: Light fell on her face The sun shone on the fields The light struck the golden necklace A strange sound struck my ears

Synonyms: fall shine strike

Hypernyms: come about fall out go on hap happen occur pass pass off take place

Meaning of "fall": the time of day immediately following sunset

Noun

Meaning: the time of day immediately following sunset

Example: he loved the twilight they finished before the fall of night

Synonyms: crepuscle crepuscule dusk evenfall fall gloam gloaming nightfall twilight

Hyponyms: night

Hypernyms: hour time of day

Meaning of "fall": be captured

Verb

Meaning: be captured

Example: The cities fell to the enemy

Synonyms: fall

Hypernyms: yield

Meaning of "fall": when a wrestler's shoulders are forced to the mat

Noun

Meaning: when a wrestler's shoulders are forced to the mat

Synonyms: fall pin

Hyponyms: takedown

Hypernyms: triumph victory

Meaning of "fall": occur at a specified time or place

Verb

Meaning: occur at a specified time or place

Example: Christmas falls on a Monday this year The accent falls on the first syllable

Synonyms: fall

Hypernyms: come about fall out go on hap happen occur pass pass off take place

Meaning of "fall": a free and rapid descent by the force of gravity

Noun

Meaning: a free and rapid descent by the force of gravity

Example: it was a miracle that he survived the drop from that height

Synonyms: drop fall

Hyponyms: free fall plunge precipitation

Hypernyms: descent gravitation

Meaning of "fall": decrease in size, extent, or range

Verb

Meaning: decrease in size, extent, or range

Example: The amount of homework decreased towards the end of the semester The cabin pressure fell dramatically her weight fell to under a hundred pounds his voice fell to a whisper

Synonyms: decrease diminish fall lessen

Hyponyms: abate boil down break concentrate contract de-escalate decelerate decline decoct decrescendo deflate depreciate devaluate devalue die away drop off dwindle dwindle away dwindle down ease off ease up flag fly go down let up reduce remit retard shorten shrink shrivel shrivel up slack slack off slacken off slow slow down slow up taper thin out undervalue vanish vaporize wane weaken wither

Hypernyms: change magnitude

Antonyms: increase

Meaning of "fall": a sudden sharp decrease in some quantity

Noun

Meaning: a sudden sharp decrease in some quantity

Meaning: come into the possession of

Example: The house accrued to the oldest son

Synonyms: accrue fall

Hypernyms: change hands change owners

Meaning of "fall": fall to somebody by assignment or lot

Verb

Meaning: fall to somebody by assignment or lot

Example: The task fell to me It fell to me to notify the parents of the victims

Synonyms: fall light

Hypernyms: devolve fall pass return

Meaning of "fall": be inherited by

Verb

Meaning: be inherited by

Example: The estate fell to my sister The land returned to the family The estate devolved to an heir that everybody had assumed to be dead

Synonyms: devolve fall pass return

Hyponyms: fall light

Hypernyms: change hands change owners

Meaning of "fall": slope downward

Verb

Meaning: come as if by falling

Example: Night fell Silence fell

Synonyms: descend fall settle

Hypernyms: come

Adjective: (heading, intransitive) To move downwards. To move to a lower position under the effect of gravity. Thrown from a cliff, the stone fell 100 feet before hitting the ground. 1915, Mrs. Belloc Lowndes, The Lodger, chapter II: There was a neat hat-and-umbrella stand, and the stranger's weary feet fell soft on a good, serviceable dark-red drugget, which matched in colour the flock-paper on the walls. To come down, to drop or descend. The rain fell at dawn. 1920, Herman Cyril McNeile, Bulldog Drummond, Ch.1: Her eyes fell on the table, and she advanced into the room wiping her hands on her apron. To come to the ground deliberately, to prostrate oneself. He fell to the floor and begged for mercy. To be brought to the ground.To move to a lower position under the effect of gravity. Thrown from a cliff, the stone fell 100 feet before hitting the ground. 1915, Mrs. Belloc Lowndes, The Lodger, chapter II: There was a neat hat-and-umbrella stand, and the stranger's weary feet fell soft on a good, serviceable dark-red drugget, which matched in colour the flock-paper on the walls.1915, Mrs. Belloc Lowndes, The Lodger, chapter II: There was a neat hat-and-umbrella stand, and the stranger's weary feet fell soft on a good, serviceable dark-red drugget, which matched in colour the flock-paper on the walls.To come down, to drop or descend. The rain fell at dawn. 1920, Herman Cyril McNeile, Bulldog Drummond, Ch.1: Her eyes fell on the table, and she advanced into the room wiping her hands on her apron.1920, Herman Cyril McNeile, Bulldog Drummond, Ch.1: Her eyes fell on the table, and she advanced into the room wiping her hands on her apron.To come to the ground deliberately, to prostrate oneself. He fell to the floor and begged for mercy.To be brought to the ground.(transitive) To be moved downwards. (obsolete) To let fall; to drop. William Shakespeare (1564-1616) For every tear he falls, a Trojan bleeds. (obsolete) To sink; to depress. to fall the voice (UK, US, dialect, archaic) To fell; to cut down. to fall a tree(obsolete) To let fall; to drop. William Shakespeare (1564-1616) For every tear he falls, a Trojan bleeds.William Shakespeare (1564-1616) For every tear he falls, a Trojan bleeds.(obsolete) To sink; to depress. to fall the voice(UK, US, dialect, archaic) To fell; to cut down. to fall a tree(intransitive) To happen, to change negatively. (copulative) To become. She has fallen ill. The children fell asleep in the back of the car. When did you first fall in love? To occur (on a certain day of the week, date, or similar); said of an instance of a recurring event such as a holiday or date. Thanksgiving always falls on a Thursday. Last year, Commencement fell on June 3. (intransitive) To collapse; to be overthrown or defeated. Rome fell to the Goths in 410 AD. (intransitive, formal, euphemistic) To die, especially in battle or by disease. This is a monument to all those who fell in the First World War. (intransitive) To become lower (in quantity, pitch, etc.). The candidate's poll ratings fell abruptly after the banking scandal. Sir John Davies (c.1569-1626) The greatness of these Irish lords suddenly fell and vanished. 1835, Sir John Ross, Sir James Clark Ross, Narrative of a Second Voyage in Search of a North-west Passage …, Vol.1, pp.284-5: Towards the following morning, the thermometer fell to 5°; and at daylight, there was not an atom of water to be seen in any direction. 2013 July 20, “Old soldiers?”, The Economist, volume 408, number 8845: Whether modern, industrial man is less or more warlike than his hunter-gatherer ancestors is impossible to determine. […] One thing that is true, though, is that murder rates have fallen over the centuries, as policing has spread and the routine carrying of weapons has diminished. Modern society may not have done anything about war. But peace is a lot more peaceful. (followed by a determining word or phrase) To become; to be affected by or befallen with a calamity; to change into the state described by words following; to become prostrated literally or figuratively (see Usage notes below). Our senator fell into disrepute because of the banking scandal.(copulative) To become. She has fallen ill. The children fell asleep in the back of the car. When did you first fall in love?To occur (on a certain day of the week, date, or similar); said of an instance of a recurring event such as a holiday or date. Thanksgiving always falls on a Thursday. Last year, Commencement fell on June 3.(intransitive) To collapse; to be overthrown or defeated. Rome fell to the Goths in 410 AD.(intransitive, formal, euphemistic) To die, especially in battle or by disease. This is a monument to all those who fell in the First World War.(intransitive) To become lower (in quantity, pitch, etc.). The candidate's poll ratings fell abruptly after the banking scandal. Sir John Davies (c.1569-1626) The greatness of these Irish lords suddenly fell and vanished. 1835, Sir John Ross, Sir James Clark Ross, Narrative of a Second Voyage in Search of a North-west Passage …, Vol.1, pp.284-5: Towards the following morning, the thermometer fell to 5°; and at daylight, there was not an atom of water to be seen in any direction. 2013 July 20, “Old soldiers?”, The Economist, volume 408, number 8845: Whether modern, industrial man is less or more warlike than his hunter-gatherer ancestors is impossible to determine. […] One thing that is true, though, is that murder rates have fallen over the centuries, as policing has spread and the routine carrying of weapons has diminished. Modern society may not have done anything about war. But peace is a lot more peaceful.Sir John Davies (c.1569-1626) The greatness of these Irish lords suddenly fell and vanished.1835, Sir John Ross, Sir James Clark Ross, Narrative of a Second Voyage in Search of a North-west Passage …, Vol.1, pp.284-5: Towards the following morning, the thermometer fell to 5°; and at daylight, there was not an atom of water to be seen in any direction.2013 July 20, “Old soldiers?”, The Economist, volume 408, number 8845: Whether modern, industrial man is less or more warlike than his hunter-gatherer ancestors is impossible to determine. […] One thing that is true, though, is that murder rates have fallen over the centuries, as policing has spread and the routine carrying of weapons has diminished. Modern society may not have done anything about war. But peace is a lot more peaceful.(followed by a determining word or phrase) To become; to be affected by or befallen with a calamity; to change into the state described by words following; to become prostrated literally or figuratively (see Usage notes below). Our senator fell into disrepute because of the banking scandal.(transitive) To be allotted to; to arrive through chance, fate, or inheritance. And so it falls to me to make this important decision. The estate fell to his brother; the kingdom fell into the hands of his rivals. Alexander Pope (1688-1744) If to her share some female errors fall, / Look on her face, and you'll forget them all.Alexander Pope (1688-1744) If to her share some female errors fall, / Look on her face, and you'll forget them all.(transitive, obsolete) To diminish; to lessen or lower. John Locke (1632-1705) Upon lessening interest to four per cent, you fall the price of your native commodities.John Locke (1632-1705) Upon lessening interest to four per cent, you fall the price of your native commodities.(transitive, obsolete) To bring forth. to fall lambs (Can we find and add a quotation of Shakespeare to this entry?)(intransitive, obsolete) To issue forth into life; to be brought forth; said of the young of certain animals. (Can we find and add a quotation of Shakespeare to this entry?)To descend in character or reputation; to become degraded; to sink into vice, error, or sin. Bible, Hebrews iv.11: Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.Bible, Hebrews iv.11: Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.To become ensnared or entrapped; to be worse off than before. to fall into error; to fall into difficultiesTo assume a look of shame or disappointment; to become or appear dejected; said of the face. Bible, Genesis iv.5: Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell. Joseph Addison (1672–1719) I have observed of late thy looks are fallen.Bible, Genesis iv.5: Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.Joseph Addison (1672–1719) I have observed of late thy looks are fallen.To happen; to come to pass; to chance or light (upon). Jonathan Swift (1667–1745) The Romans fell on this model by chance. Bible, Ruth iii.18: Sit still, my daughter, until thou know how the matter will fall. Herbert Spenser (1820-1903) Primitive men […] do not make laws, they fall into customs.Jonathan Swift (1667–1745) The Romans fell on this model by chance.Bible, Ruth iii.18: Sit still, my daughter, until thou know how the matter will fall.Herbert Spenser (1820-1903) Primitive men […] do not make laws, they fall into customs.To begin with haste, ardour, or vehemence; to rush or hurry. After arguing, they fell to blows. Benjamin Jowett (1817-1893) (Thucydides) They now no longer doubted, but fell to work heart and soul.Benjamin Jowett (1817-1893) (Thucydides) They now no longer doubted, but fell to work heart and soul.To be dropped or uttered carelessly. An unguarded expression fell from his lips.

Synonyms:

decline, plunge, spill, drop, slump, recession, reduction, decrease, dip, slope, plummet, incline, declivity, tumble, dive, slant, ebb, lessening, header, abatement, cut, slip, diminution, downgrade, lapse, belly flop, dwindling, pratfall, downward slope, falling off, nose dive, loss, disaster, downfall, drop, failure, collapse, breakdown, death, humiliation, tumble, dive, degradation, abasement, capitulation, diminution, surrender, resignation, ruin, destruction, decline, plunge, crash, collapse, tumble, dwindle, ease, slump, stumble, settle, plummet, decrease, sink, slip, diminish, go down, dip, dive, depreciate, land, slope, ebb, wane, lessen, pitch, trip, droop, buckle, subside, backslide, totter, topple, gravitate, trail, drag, abate, spin, relapse, lapse, flop, recede, flag, cascade, regress, keel over, be precipitated, break down, cave in, drop down, fold up, hit the dirt, nose-dive, take a header, tip over, go down, drop, slump, die, submit, perish, resign, yield, bend, succumb, capitulate, obey, back down, give in, go under, give up, be casualty, be destroyed, be killed, be lost, be taken, defer to, eat dirt, fall to pieces, give way, lie down, pass into enemy hands, become, occur, chance, arrive, befall, come about, take place, come to pass,

Antonyms:

increase, enlargement, evenness, perfection, success, rise, ascent, level, climb, scaling, accomplishment, achievement, success, win, increase, fighting, building, rise, elevation, fight, development, growth, construction, creation, ascent, climb, scaling, increase, ascend, enlarge, grow, compliment, praise, climb, attain, overcome, overthrow, rise, go up, develop, expand, extend, lose, raise, strengthen, progress, scale, advance, reach, win, increase, ascend, disobey, climb, attain, overcome, overthrow, rise, fight, go up, scale, advance, reach, win, ascend, climb, attain, overcome, overthrow, go up, rise, scale, advance, reach, win,

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