verb · 4 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
Pronunciation
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Received-Pronunciation:/fɔːl ˈdaʊn/
General-American:/fɔl ˈdaʊn/
cot-caught-merger:/fɑl ˈdaʊn/
Southern-England:Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
1
verb
Meaning 1
To fall to the ground. To collapse.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: intransitive
Examples
Ring a-ring o' roses, / A pocketful of posies. / A-tishoo! A-tishoo! / We all fall down. — traditional nursery rhyme (British version)
The beams supporting the roof had rotted, causing the entire house to fall down.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
2
verb
Meaning 2
To sail or drift toward the mouth of a river or other outlet.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Topics: nautical, transport
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
3
verb
Meaning 3
To fail; to make a mistake.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: figuratively, intransitive
Examples
That is where your reasoning falls down.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
4
verb
Meaning 4
lose an upright position suddenly
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
The vase fell over and the water spilled onto the table
Her hair fell across her forehead
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: fall
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: change posture
History
Etymology
No etymology was provided for this word.
Across languages
Translations
44 source translations are retained for this English entry.
Chinese Cantonese:
跌
(dit3)
— to fall to the ground
Chinese Mandarin:
落下
(luòxià)
— to fall to the ground
Chinese Mandarin:
倒下
(dǎoxià)
— to fall to the ground
Czech:
spadnout
— to fall to the ground
Dutch:
neervallen
— to fall to the ground
Finnish:
pudota
— to fall to the ground
Finnish:
tippua
— to fall to the ground
French:
tomber
— to fall to the ground
German:
niederfallen
— to fall to the ground
German:
umfallen
— to fall to the ground
Gothic:
𐌲𐌰𐌳𐍂𐌹𐌿𐍃𐌰𐌽
(gadriusan)
— to fall to the ground
Ancient Greek:
καταπίπτω
(katapíptō)
— to fall to the ground
Hindi:
गिरना
(girnā)
— to fall to the ground
Hungarian:
leesik
— to fall to the ground
Italian:
cadere
— to fall to the ground
Japanese:
落ちる
(ochiru)
— to fall to the ground
Korean:
떨어지다
(tteoreojida)
— to fall to the ground
Latin:
decido
— to fall to the ground
Malayalam:
വീഴുക
(vīḻuka)
— to fall to the ground
Eastern Mari:
велаш
(velaš)
— to fall to the ground
Nepali:
खस्नु
(khasnu)
— to fall to the ground
Persian:
زمین خوردن
(zamin xordan)
— to fall to the ground
