fall
fall
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for "fall" is /fɔːl/.
fall: /fɔːl/
Word Form Variations
Verb: fall (base form), falls (third person singular present), fell (past tense), fallen (past participle), falling (present participle)
Noun: fall (singular), falls (plural)
Adjective: fallen (as in "fallen leaves")
Adverb: (No direct adverb form for "fall"; related adverbs would be formed from adjectives, e.g., "fallingly" though very rare)
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Verb
Fall
To move downward, typically rapidly and freely, through the air or from a higher position to a lower one, often landing on the ground.
Synonyms: drop, descend, plummet, tumble, plunge
Antonyms: rise, ascend, climb, soar, float
(Of a person) to lose one's balance and collapse.
Synonyms: trip, stumble, topple, collapse, sprawl
Antonyms: stand, stabilize, recover
To decrease in quantity, value, or intensity; to decline.
Synonyms: decline, decrease, drop, diminish, lower, sink
Antonyms: increase, rise, grow, ascend, surge
To happen or occur, especially unexpectedly or as if by chance.
Synonyms: occur, happen, transpire, befall, take place
Antonyms: prevent, stop, avoid
(Of an institution, government, or city) to be overthrown or captured.
Synonyms: collapse, succumb, surrender, capitulate, crumble
Antonyms: endure, hold, stand, rise
Noun
Fall
An act or instance of falling or dropping.
Synonyms: drop, descent, plummet, tumble, collapse
Antonyms: rise, ascent, climb, surge
A decline or decrease in number, amount, or quality.
Synonyms: decrease, decline, drop, reduction, downturn
Antonyms: increase, rise, growth, surge, upturn
The season of autumn.
Synonyms: autumn
Antonyms: spring, summer, winter
The overthrow or surrender of a city, government, or regime.
Synonyms: collapse, defeat, downfall, surrender, overthrow
Antonyms: triumph, rise, success, victory
A cascade of water; a waterfall.
Synonyms: waterfall, cascade, cataract
Antonyms: (no direct antonyms; refers to a geographical feature)
Adjective
Fallen
Having dropped or descended from a higher place.
Synonyms: dropped, downed, collapsed
Antonyms: standing, erect, rising
(Of a person) having lost status, power, or innocence; morally degraded.
Synonyms: disgraced, ruined, corrupted, degraded
Antonyms: risen, virtuous, honorable, esteemed
Examples of Use
Books
Non-fiction: History books often discuss the "fall of empires" or the "fall of particular governments." The Rise and Fall of the Roman Empire by Edward Gibbon is a classic example (Modern Library, January 1993). Science books might explain why "objects fall towards the Earth due to gravity."
Fiction: Characters might "fall in love," "fall ill," or literally "fall down a flight of stairs." A novel might describe "the leaves beginning to fall" in autumn.
Newspapers
News Articles: Journalists frequently report on prices or rates that "fall." A business section might report, "Stock prices continue to fall amid market uncertainty" (Financial Times, June 2025). Weather reports often mention "temperatures will fall overnight."
Sports Sections: A sports report might describe a player who "fell short of the record" or a team that "fell to their rivals" in a game.
Editorials: Columnists may discuss the "fall in public trust" in institutions or the "fall from grace" of a public figure.
Online Publications
Financial Websites: Investment sites provide charts showing when "the value of a currency began to fall."
Blogs: Health blogs might discuss "foods that help you fall asleep faster." Travel blogs could feature "the best places to see the leaves fall."
Social Media: People share videos of humorous "falls" or use the word to describe personal setbacks, "I took a bad fall today."
Educational Sites: Physics tutorials might illustrate how objects "fall at a constant rate in a vacuum."
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms
Movies/TV Shows: Characters frequently "fall" (physically or metaphorically) – "falling off a cliff," "falling for a trick," or experiencing a "fall from power." Dialogue might include, "Don't let me fall!"
Music: Song lyrics often feature "fall" to depict love, heartbreak, or change. "I keep falling for you." "The rain began to fall."
Video Games: Characters can "fall" off ledges, players can "fall into traps," or the game narrative might include the "fall of a kingdom."
Podcasts: Historical podcasts might detail the "fall of ancient civilizations." Personal narrative podcasts could discuss how individuals recovered after a significant "fall."
General Public Discourse
Conversations: In daily speech, people commonly say, "Be careful not to fall!" or "Prices are starting to fall." "I hope you don't fall ill."
Workplace: Colleagues might discuss a project that "fell behind schedule" or the need to prevent a "fall in productivity."
Education: Teachers might explain why an object "falls faster than another" due to differences in air resistance. Students might express concern about their grades beginning to "fall."
Weather Forecasts: Meteorologists consistently use "fall" when describing temperature changes or precipitation. "Temperatures will fall to freezing tonight."
10 Quotes Using Fall
"A man may fall many times but he won't be a failure until he says that someone pushed him." (Elmer G. Letterman)
"For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow." (Ecclesiastes 4:10, ESV)
"Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall." (Proverbs 16:18)
"Into each life some rain must fall." (Henry Wadsworth Longfellow)
"We fall to rise again." (Victor Frankl)
"Only those who dare to fall greatly can ever achieve greatly." (Robert F. Kennedy)
"We all fall down, but it's how we get back up that matters." (Zig Ziglar)
"The bigger they are, the harder they fall." (Often attributed to James J. Corbett about John L. Sullivan)
"I do not expect the Union to be dissolved—I do not expect the house to fall—but I do expect it will cease to be divided." (Abraham Lincoln)
"Standing is a dangerous place. Don't be too comfortable. You may fall." (African Proverb)
Etymology
The word "fall" comes from the Old English word "feallan," which means "to drop," "to decline," or "to fail." It has roots in Germanic languages, reflecting the idea of downward movement.
The first known use of "fall" in English, with the meaning of "to descend under the force of gravity" or "to drop to the ground," dates back to before the 9th century. It appeared in texts referring to objects or people moving downwards. Over time, its meaning expanded to include concepts like decrease, the season of autumn, and the overthrow of power.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Fall
Fall flat: To be completely unsuccessful; to have no effect. "His joke fell flat with the audience."
Fall for (someone/something): To be tricked by someone/something; to develop romantic feelings for someone. "She fell for his charming lies." / "He fell for her the moment he saw her."
Fall through: To fail to happen or be completed. "The plans to expand the business fell through."
Fall behind: To fail to keep up with something, such as work or payments. "He fell behind on his rent."
Fall apart: To break into pieces; to become emotionally distressed; to decline rapidly. "The old book began to fall apart." / "She just fell apart after the bad news."
Fall into place: To make sense; to fit together logically. "After getting the last piece of information, everything fell into place."
Fall on deaf ears: To be ignored or disregarded. "His pleas for help fell on deaf ears."
Fall short: To fail to meet a standard or expectation. "The team fell short of winning the championship."
Fall out: To quarrel or stop being friends; (of hair/teeth) to come out. "They fell out over a minor disagreement." / "His hair started to fall out."
Fall in line: To conform to expectations or rules. "Employees were told to fall in line with the new policy."
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of fall from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
