Fell
/fɛl/
Definitions
4 meaningsTo descend freely under the influence of gravity; to collapse; to become prostrate.
/fɛl/
To drop or come down suddenly and involuntarily.
The leaves fell from the trees in autumn.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're holding your favorite toy and accidentally let go. It's like your toy *fell* to the ground! Also, if you're feeling sad, you might say your mood *fell*.
👶 For kids: To go down!
More Examples
He fell asleep during the movie.
The vase fell and shattered on the floor.
How It's Used
"The book fell off the shelf."
"His spirits fell when he heard the bad news."
The past tense of the verb "fall".
/fɛl/
Past tense of 'fall'.
He fell on his face.
💡 Simply: This just means it already *happened*! Like, 'I *fell* yesterday,' instead of 'I fall today.'
👶 For kids: It already happened.
More Examples
The tree fell during the storm.
The price fell sharply.
How It's Used
"He fell down the stairs."
To cut down a tree or other object.
/fɛl/
To cut down, such as a tree.
The loggers felled the trees to build the road.
💡 Simply: Imagine you need to chop down a tree. That's what it means to *fell* the tree.
👶 For kids: To cut a tree down.
More Examples
He felled the beast with a single blow.
How It's Used
"The lumberjacks felled the ancient oak."
A high, treeless hill.
/fɛl/
A barren or rocky hill.
The sheep grazed on the green fells.
💡 Simply: Imagine a big hill without trees. It’s like the landscape of the movie 'The Lord of the Rings'.
👶 For kids: A hill without trees.
More Examples
The hikers enjoyed the view from the fell.
They explored the remote fells of the Lake District.
How It's Used
"They hiked across the windswept fell."
From Old English *fēoll*, past tense of *fēolan* ("to fall"), and a separate origin for the verb meaning to cut down (from Old English *fyllan*).
The word 'fell' has been in use since Old English and has changed slightly in form and meaning over time, developing distinct uses for both the act of falling and the act of cutting down.
Memory tip
Think of an object losing its support and dropping down.
Word Origin
""to fall" and "to cut down" respectively."