fall

noun

UK /fɔːl/

Word Forms

singular	fall
plural	falls

1
countable an occasion when someone or something falls to the ground
She was taken to hospital after a fall.
fall from:
Her brother was killed in a fall from a horse.
Luckily her fall was broken by soft snow.
Synonyms and related words
Movements downwards
fall
descent
plunge
2
countable an occasion when something falls to the ground from the sky or from a high place
fall of:
There had been a fall of rocks on the road.
a heavy fall of snow
Synonyms and related words
Movements downwards
fall
descent
plunge
3
countable an occasion when the amount, level, or value of something falls
Analysts are expecting a fall on Wall Street.
fall in:
There has been a sharp fall in unemployment.
fall of:
We have seen a fall of 5% in sales this month.
Synonyms and related words
Rates of decrease and the process of decreasing
decrease
reduction
decline
4
singular someone’s defeat or loss of power
fall of:
Khomeini came to power after the fall of the Shah.
the rise and fall of:
the rise and fall of the Roman Empire
the fall of something to someone:
Thousands fled after the fall of the city to rebel forces.
Synonyms and related words
A defeat in a game or competition
defeat
rout
beating
Synonyms and related words
Changing social or professional status
acquire
ascent
bankrupt
5
singular the downward slope or movement of something
She watched the steady rise and fall of his chest.
Synonyms and related words
Slopes and sloping
slope
tilt
incline
6

falls
plural a waterfall
Synonyms and related words
Parts of lakes, rivers and streams
backwater
bayou
bed
7
countable an act of pushing your opponent to the ground in the sport of wrestling or judo
Synonyms and related words
Boxing and wrestling
arm-wrestling
bantamweight
bare-knuckle
8
countable usually singularAmericanthe season between summer and winter
Synonyms and related words
The seasons and times of the year
autumn
autumnal
British Summer Time
9

the Fall
in the Jewish and Christian religions, the story of how evil came into the world because Adam and Eve did not obey God
Synonyms and related words
The religion of Judaism
the Ark of the Covenant
bar mitzvah
bat mitzvah
Synonyms and related words
Christian beliefs
canonical
canon law
cardinal sin
10
take the fall
to get arrested for a particular crime, especially when others are going unpunished for the same crime
He was going to take the fall for that crooked politician.
Submitted by:
lucimar from Brazil on 26/04/2016
Open Dictionary - April2016

phrases

fall from grace/favour

fall

noun

US /fɔl/

Word Forms

singular	fall
plural	falls

1
countable usually singularAmericanthe season between summer and winter. The British word is autumn
He will go away to college in the fall.
Synonyms and related words
The seasons and times of the year
autumn
autumnal
British Summer Time
2
countable an occasion when someone or something falls to the ground
She was taken to the hospital after a fall.
fall from:
Her brother was killed in a fall from a horse.
Luckily her fall was broken by soft snow.
Synonyms and related words
Movements downwards
fall
descent
plunge
3
countable an occasion when something falls to the ground from the sky or from a high place
fall of:
There had been a fall of rocks on the road.
a heavy fall of snow
Synonyms and related words
Movements downwards
fall
descent
plunge
4
countable an occasion when the amount, level, or value of something falls
fall in:
There has been a sharp fall in unemployment.
Synonyms and related words
Rates of decrease and the process of decreasing
decrease
reduction
decline
5
singular someone’s defeat or loss of power
fall of:
Khomeini came to power after the fall of the Shah.
the rise and fall of:
the rise and fall of the Roman Empire
the fall of something to someone:
Thousands fled after the fall of the city to rebel forces.
Synonyms and related words
A defeat in a game or competition
defeat
rout
beating
Synonyms and related words
Changing social or professional status
acquire
ascent
bankrupt
6
singular the downward slope or movement of something
She watched the steady rise and fall of his chest.
Synonyms and related words
Slopes and sloping
slope
tilt
incline
7

falls
plural a waterfall
We went to swim under the falls.
Synonyms and related words
Parts of lakes, rivers and streams
backwater
bayou
bed
8
countable an act of pushing your opponent to the ground in the sport of wrestling or judo
Synonyms and related words
Boxing and wrestling
arm-wrestling
bantamweight
bare-knuckle
9

the Fall
in the Jewish and Christian religions, the story of how evil came into the world because Adam and Eve did not obey God
Synonyms and related words
The religion of Judaism
the Ark of the Covenant
bar mitzvah
bat mitzvah
Synonyms and related words
Christian beliefs
canonical
canon law
cardinal sin
10
take the fall
to get arrested for a particular crime, especially when others are going unpunished for the same crime
He was going to take the fall for that crooked politician.
Submitted by:
lucimar from Brazil on 26/04/2016
Open Dictionary - April2016

phrases

fall from grace/favor

fall

verb intransitive

UK /fɔːl/

Word Forms

present tense
I/you/we/they	fall
he/she/it	falls
present participle	falling
past tense	fell
past participle	fallen

1
to move quickly downwards from a higher position, usually by accident
fall off/through/out of etc:
Ann’s just fallen downstairs and hurt her back.
I keep falling off my bike.
fall to your death:
A climber fell to his death today.
Synonyms and related words
To move, or to move something downwards
fall
lower
come down
1. 1a
  to come down towards or onto the ground from the sky
  Snow began to quietly fall.
  Bombs fell on the city throughout the night.
  Synonyms and related words
  To move, or to move something downwards
  fall
  lower
  come down
2. 1b
  
  fall
  or
  fall down
  to move quickly down onto the ground from an upright or standing position
  I slipped and almost fell down.
  We heard the crash of falling trees.
  fall to the ground/floor:
  He collapsed and fell to the ground.
  Synonyms and related words
  To move, or to move something downwards
  fall
  lower
  come down
3. 1c
  to let yourself drop onto a bed, chair etc because you are tired
  fall into/onto:
  After work I just want to fall into bed and sleep.
  Synonyms and related words
  To sit or lie down
  bed down
  collapse
  cross your legs
2
to become lower in level, amount, or value
The temperature has been falling steadily all day.
The programme was cancelled because of falling audience figures.
fall by:
Industrial production has fallen by 10%.
Synonyms and related words
To become less in size, amount or value
crater
decrease
decline
Collocates
Adverbs frequently used with fall
▪ dramatically, rapidly, sharply, slightly, steadily, steeply
3
to belong to a particular group or area of activity
fall within/into:
Those items fall into the category of luxury goods.
fall outside:
This question falls outside my area of expertise.
Synonyms and related words
Relationships and membership of social groups
relationship
connection
association
4
to change into another state or condition
fall asleep/ill:
Shortly before Christmas she fell ill.
fall into:
I climbed into bed and fell into a deep sleep.
fall into decay/disrepair/ruin/disuse:
The building gradually fell into decay.
Synonyms and related words
To become different
change
turn into
change into
1. 4a
  if something falls open, it opens accidentally
  The book fell open at a map of the city.
  Synonyms and related words
  To open or unlock something, or to come open
  open up
  open
  try
5
to happen on a particular day or date
Christmas falls on a Saturday this year.
Synonyms and related words
General words meaning to happen
happen
come about
occur
6
to lose a position of power
Divisions within the ruling party caused the government to fall.
fall from power:
The General fell from power in 1955.
Synonyms and related words
Forcing someone and being forced to leave a job
fire
lay off
retire
7
if a place falls in a war, a different army takes control of it
The city is expected to fall within days.
Synonyms and related words
Invading and taking control by force
invade
occupy
suppress
1. 7a
  if an area falls to a political party during an election, a different party takes control of it
  fall to:
  In the last election, the constituency fell to Labour.
  Synonyms and related words
  Elections and relating to the electoral system
  alternative vote
  AV
  ballot rigging
8
literaryif people fall in a war, they are killed
Synonyms and related words
To die or to be killed
die
pass away
suffocate
9
literaryto hang down
fall over/onto/to:
Her long black hair fell over her shoulders.
Synonyms and related words
To hang, or to hang down
hang
hang out
dangle
10
to slope downwards
Here the land rises and falls in gentle hills.
Synonyms and related words
What roads, paths and areas of land do
ascend
bend
bifurcate
Synonyms and related words
Slopes and sloping
slope
tilt
incline
11
if someone’s voice falls, it becomes quieter
His voice fell to a whisper.
Synonyms and related words
What voices can do
break
choke
crack
12
mainly literaryif something such as a shadow or light falls on a surface, it goes over or onto the surface
Synonyms and related words
What light can do
reflect
flood
fade
13
if your eyes fall on someone or something, you notice them
Synonyms and related words
To see or not see someone or something
see
make out
spot
14
if the emphasis falls on a particular part of a word, you emphasize that part when you say or sing it
In English, the stress in ‘Paris’ falls on the first syllable.
Synonyms and related words
Pronunciation and pronouncing words
pronunciation
pronounce
articulation

phrases

darkness/night/dusk falls

fall at the first/final hurdle

fall foul of

fall from grace/favour

fall in love

fall into place

fall over yourself to do something

fall short

fall to bits/pieces

fall to doing something

fall under someone’s influence/sway

a silence/hush falls

phrasal verbs

fall about

fall apart

fall away

fall back

fall back on

fall behind

fall down

fall for

fall in

fall into

fall in with

fall off

fall on

fall out

fall over

fall through

fall to

fall

verb intransitive

US /fɔl/

Word Forms

present tense
I/you/we/they	fall
he/she/it	falls
present participle	falling
past tense	fell
past participle	fallen

1
to move quickly downward from a higher position, usually by accident
fall off/through/out of etc.:
Ann’s just fallen downstairs and hurt her back.
I keep falling off my bike.
It’s not unusual for small children to fall out of bed.
fall to your death:
A climber fell to his death today.
Synonyms and related words
To move, or to move something downwards
fall
lower
come down
1. 1a
  to come down toward or onto the ground from the sky
  Snow began to fall.
  Bombs fell on the city throughout the night.
  Nobody knows what caused the airplane to fall out of the sky.
  Synonyms and related words
  To move, or to move something downwards
  fall
  lower
  come down
2. 1b
  
  fall
  or
  fall down
  to move quickly down onto the ground from an upright or standing position
  I slipped and almost fell down.
  He fell heavily on his arm and broke it.
  We heard the crash of falling trees.
  fall to the ground/floor:
  He collapsed and fell to the ground.
  fall to/on your knees:
  Marta fell to her knees and began to pray.
  Synonyms and related words
  To move, or to move something downwards
  fall
  lower
  come down
3. 1c
  to let yourself drop onto a bed, chair, etc. because you are tired
  fall into/onto:
  After work I just want to fall into bed and sleep.
  Synonyms and related words
  To sit or lie down
  bed down
  bunk
  collapse
2
to become lower in level, amount, or value
The temperature has been falling steadily all day.
The program was canceled because of falling audience figures.
fall to/from:
Inflation in August fell to 3.9%.
fall by:
Industrial production has fallen by 10%.
fall below:
If your grades fall below a certain level, you have to go to summer school.
Synonyms and related words
To become less in size, amount or value
crater
decrease
diminish
Collocates
Adverbs frequently used with fall
▪ dramatically, rapidly, sharply, slightly, steadily, steeply
3
to change into another state or condition
fall asleep/sick:
Shortly before Christmas she fell sick.
fall into:
I climbed into bed and fell into a deep sleep.
fall into decay/disrepair/ruin/disuse:
The building gradually fell into decay.
Synonyms and related words
To become different
transition
change
turn into
1. 3a
  if something falls open, it opens accidentally
  The book fell open at a map of the city.
  Synonyms and related words
  To open or unlock something, or to come open
  open up
  undo
  unlock
4
to lose a position of power
Divisions within the ruling party caused the government to fall.
fall from power:
The General fell from power in 1955.
Synonyms and related words
Forcing someone and being forced to leave a job
fire
lay off
retire
5
if a place falls in a war, a different army takes control of it
The city is expected to fall within days.
Synonyms and related words
Invading and taking control by force
invade
occupy
suppress
1. 5a
  if an area falls to a political party during an election, a different party takes control of it
  fall to:
  In the last election, the state fell to the Democrats.
  Synonyms and related words
  Elections and relating to the electoral system
  advance poll
  alternative vote
  AV
6
literaryif people fall in a war, they are killed
Synonyms and related words
To die or to be killed
die
pass away
suffocate
7
literaryto hang down
fall over/onto/to:
Her long black hair fell over her shoulders.
The coat falls to just above the ankles.
Synonyms and related words
To hang, or to hang down
hang
hang out
dangle
8
to belong to a particular group or area of activity
fall outside:
This question falls outside my area of expertise.
fall within/into:
Those items fall into the category of luxury goods.
Synonyms and related words
Relationships and membership of social groups
relationship
connection
association
9
to happen on a particular day or date
Christmas falls on a Saturday this year.
Synonyms and related words
General words meaning to happen
happen
come about
occur
10
mainly literaryif something such as a shadow or light falls on a surface, it goes over or onto the surface
fall on/over:
His shadow fell over the book I was reading.
Synonyms and related words
What light can do
reflect
flood
fade
11
if the emphasis falls on a particular part of a word, you emphasize that part when you say or sing it
In English, the stress in “Paris” falls on the first syllable.
Synonyms and related words
Pronunciation and pronouncing words
pronunciation
pronounce
articulation
12
to slope downward
Here the land rises and falls in gentle hills.
Synonyms and related words
What roads, paths and areas of land do
ascend
bend
bifurcate
Synonyms and related words
Slopes and sloping
slope
tilt
incline
13
if someone’s voice falls, it becomes quieter
His voice fell to a whisper.
Synonyms and related words
What voices can do
break
choke
crack
14
if your eyes fall on someone or something, you notice them
Synonyms and related words
To see or not see someone or something
see
make out
spot

phrases

darkness/night/dusk falls

fall at the first/final hurdle

fall foul of

fall from grace/favor

fall in love

fall into place

fall over yourself to do something

fall short

fall to doing something

fall to pieces

fall under someone’s influence/sway

a silence/hush falls

phrasal verbs

fall apart

fall away

fall back

fall back on

fall behind

fall down

fall for

fall in

fall into

fall in with

fall off

fall on

fall out

fall over

fall through

fall to

fall ​‌‌‌

falls

the Fall

take the fall

fall ​‌‌‌

falls

the Fall

take the fall

fall ​‌‌‌

fall

fall down

fall ​‌‌‌

fall

fall down

fall

fall

fall

fall