Pronunciation: ' fo ̇ l
Function: verb
Inflected Form: fell \ ' fel \ ; fall · en \ ' fo ̇ -l ə n \ ; fall · ing
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English feallan; akin to Old High German fallan to fall and perhaps to Lithuanian pulti
Date: before 12th century
intransitive verb
1 a : to descend freely by the force of gravity b : to hang freely <her hair fall s over her shoulders> c : to drop oneself to a lower position < fell to his knees> d : to come or go as if by falling <darkness fall s early in the winter>
2 : to become born ― usually used of lambs
3 a : to become lower in degree or level <the temperature fell 10°> b : to drop in pitch or volume <their voices fell to a whisper> c : ISSUE 1A B <wisdom that fell from his lips> d : to become lowered <her eyes fell >
4 a : to leave an erect position suddenly and involuntarily <slipped and fell on the ice> b : to enter as if unawares : STUMBLE , STRAY < fell into error> c : to drop down wounded or dead especially : to die in battle d : to suffer military capture <after a long siege the city fell > e : to lose office <the party fell from power> f : to suffer ruin, defeat, or failure <the deal fell through>
5 : to commit an immoral act especially : to lose one's chastity
6 a : to move or extend in a downward direction <the land fall s away to the east> b : SUBSIDE , ABATE <the wind is fall ing > c : to decline in quality, activity, or quantity <production fell off> d : to lose weight ― used with off or away e : to assume a look of shame, disappointment, or dejection <his face fell > f : to decline in financial value or price <stocks fell sharply>
7 a : to occur at a certain time <her birthday fall s on a Monday this year> b : to come by chance <a job that fell into his hands> c : to come or pass by lot, assignment, or inheritance : DEVOLVE <it fell to him to break the news> d : to have a certain or proper position, place, or station <the accent fall s on the second syllable>
8 : to come within the limits, scope, or jurisdiction of something <this word fall s into the class of verbs>
9 : to pass suddenly and passively into a state of body or mind or a new state or condition < fall asleep> < fall in love>
10 : to set about heartily or actively < fell to work>
11 : STRIKE , IMPINGE <music fall ing on the ear>
transitive verb : FELL 1
– fall all over oneself or fall over oneself or fall over backward : to display great or excessive eagerness
– fall apart
1 : DISINTEGRATE
2 : to succumb to mental or emotional stress : BREAK DOWN
– fall behind
1 : to lag behind
2 : to be in arrears
– fall between two stools : to fail because of inability to choose between or reconcile two alternative or conflicting courses of action
– fall flat : to produce no response or result <the joke fell flat >
– fall for
1 : to fall in love with
2 : to become a victim of < fell for the trick>
– fall from grace : BACKSLIDE 1
– fall home : to curve inward ― used of the timbers or upper parts of a ship's side
– fall into line : to comply with a certain course of action
– fall on or fall upon : to meet with < fell on hard times>
– fall on one's face : to fail utterly <the movie fell on its face at the box office>
– fall on one's sword : to sacrifice one's pride or position
– fall short
1 : to be deficient
2 : to fail to attain something (as a goal or target)