Fallen

'fɔːlən

verbBeginner📊CommonGeneral
3 meanings2 idioms/phrases3 questions

Definitions

3 meanings
1

Having fallen; past participle of the verb 'to fall'.

'fɔːlən

verbneutralBeginner
General

past participle of fall

The leaves have fallen from the trees.

💡 Simply: It's like when something has already gone down. Like, the cookies *have fallen* off the table, or the rain *has fallen* for hours.

👶 For kids: It means something went down, like a toy that fell on the floor.

More Examples

2

The vase had fallen and broken.

3

The snow had fallen heavily overnight.

How It's Used

General Usage

"The leaves have fallen from the trees."

Literary

"The fallen angel was cast out of heaven."

2

Having lost status, power, or reputation; morally degraded.

'fɔːlən

adjectivenegativemedium
General

having lost status or reputation

The fallen empire was once a great power.

💡 Simply: It's like someone or something has lost its good standing. Maybe a celebrity *has fallen* from grace, or a government *has fallen* due to corruption.

👶 For kids: It means something bad happened to someone or something.

More Examples

2

He mourned the fallen soldiers.

3

The fallen angel was banished from heaven.

How It's Used

Historical

"The fallen empire was once a powerful nation."

Moral/Religious

"The fallen were those who had sinned."

Tip:Think of someone who has lost their grace.
3

Killed in battle or combat.

'fɔːlən

adjectivenegativemedium
General

killed in battle

The memorial honors the fallen soldiers of the conflict.

💡 Simply: It's a somber way to describe soldiers, people, or things that have lost their lives, usually in battle or a difficult situation. For example, a monument might be dedicated to *fallen* soldiers.

👶 For kids: It means someone died in a fight or battle.

More Examples

2

We will never forget the fallen.

3

Their names are etched on the memorial for the fallen.

How It's Used

Military

"We remember the fallen heroes of the war."

Commemorative

"A memorial was erected in honor of the fallen soldiers."

Tip:Remember those who fell in defense.

Idioms & expressions

fallen angel

A person who was once good but has become corrupt or evil.

"The former CEO, once a respected figure, was now seen as a fallen angel after the scandal."

fallen leaves

Leaves that have dropped from a tree.

"In autumn, fallen leaves cover the ground."

From Middle English fallen, past participle of fallen (to fall). Related to Old English feallan (to fall).

The word 'fallen' has been used since Old English in the context of something that has descended or decreased.

Memory tip

Think of something that has dropped down.

Word Origin

LanguageProto-Germanic
Original meaning

"To fall"

fallen leavesfallen empirefallen angelfallen soldiers

Common misspellings

falen

Usage

40%Spoken
60%Written