fall
/fɔːl/ IELTSAcademic
verb
to move down quickly from a higher place to a lower place, often by accident. It can also mean to become less or weaker.
- I fell down the stairs.
- Temperatures fall at night.
- Sales fell last month.
noun
an act of falling, or the season after summer and before winter. In American English, it often means autumn.
- Her fall was painful.
- We met in the fall.
- The fall of the market worried investors.
verb
to move to a lower level, amount, or state. It is often used for prices, numbers, and quality.
- Prices fell after the festival.
- His voice fell to a whisper.
- The standard of service fell.
Adinary Nuance
Fall is the simplest, most common word for moving downward or becoming less. It is often more direct than drop, which can suggest a sudden or controlled decrease. Compared with decline, fall sounds more everyday and less formal.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- rơi
- Spanish
- caer
- Chinese
- 掉落
- Japanese
- 落ちる
- Korean
- 떨어지다
Etymology
Old English fallan meant “to fall, fail, or collapse.” It comes from the Germanic family of words related to dropping or descending.
Common phrases
fall in lovefall apartfall asleepfall behind
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is 'fall' the same as 'autumn'?
- Yes, in American English. In British English, people usually say 'autumn'.
- What is the difference between 'fall' and 'drop'?
- 'Fall' is more general. 'Drop' often suggests something sudden or a deliberate action.
- Can 'fall' be used in formal writing?
- Yes. It is common in both speaking and writing, especially for numbers, prices, and standards.