Fall
/fɔːl/
Definitions
5 meaningsTo move downwards rapidly from a higher to a lower level.
/fɔːl/
To descend freely due to gravity.
The rain began to fall heavily.
💡 Simply: Like when you drop your ice cream cone! Or when leaves tumble off the trees in the autumn. It's all about going down.
👶 For kids: When something goes down, like a leaf from a tree or if you trip and go 'whoops!'
More Examples
She tripped and fell on the sidewalk.
The stock market is expected to fall again.
How It's Used
"The leaves begin to fall from the trees in autumn."
"He fell to the ground after tripping."
The act of dropping or collapsing from a higher to a lower position.
/fɔːl/
The act of falling; a descent.
He took a bad fall during the race.
💡 Simply: Picture you take a tumble. That's a fall! Or, the season when the leaves change and come *falling* down.
👶 For kids: When something drops down, like if you slip, that's a fall. Or the season when the leaves change color!
More Examples
The fall from the cliff was terrifying.
We enjoyed the beauty of fall in New England.
How It's Used
"The skier suffered a fall but was uninjured."
"Autumn is also referred to as fall."
To decrease in amount, level, intensity, or value.
/fɔːl/
To become less.
The temperature is expected to fall overnight.
💡 Simply: When something gets smaller, less, or goes down in value, like the price of a toy going on sale. That’s when prices “fall”.
👶 For kids: When something gets smaller or less, like the price of your favorite candy.
More Examples
Her grades started to fall in the last semester.
The unemployment rate has fallen.
How It's Used
"The price of oil fell dramatically."
"Her blood pressure began to fall."
To happen or occur at a particular time or in a particular place.
/fɔːl/
To happen or occur (especially to fall on a particular day or time).
The responsibility for the project falls to her.
💡 Simply: Like when your birthday *falls* on a Sunday – it’s the day it happens! Or when a job task *falls* to you.
👶 For kids: When something happens on a special day, like if your birthday falls on a Saturday!
More Examples
His birthday falls in December.
The focus of the discussion will fall on innovation.
How It's Used
"The meeting will fall on a Tuesday."
"The responsibility falls to the project manager."
To be defeated in battle or competition.
/fɔːl/
To be defeated or captured.
The empire fell after a prolonged war.
💡 Simply: Like when the bad guys lose and the castle *falls*, or when your favorite team loses the game – they “fall” to the other team.
👶 For kids: When the bad guys lose or when your team doesn't win the game.
More Examples
He fell in love with her.
The fort fell to the attackers.
How It's Used
"The city fell to the enemy after a long siege."
"The champion fell in the final match."
Synonyms & Antonyms
Idioms & expressions
fall back on
To resort to something as a source of help or support.
"When I lost my job, I had to fall back on my savings."
fall behind
To fail to keep up; to be late or slow.
"He fell behind on his rent."
fall through
To fail to happen; to be unsuccessful.
"The deal fell through at the last minute."
fall short
To fail to reach a particular target or standard.
"The company fell short of its sales target."
From Old English *feallan*, from Proto-Germanic *fallaną* (to fall, to drop), from Proto-Indo-European *peld-* (to fall, to collapse).
The word 'fall' has been used since Old English times to describe a downward movement or decline.
Memory tip
Imagine an apple *falling* from a tree.
Word Origin
"to fall, to drop"