fall
Definitions
To drop or move downward, usually quickly and without control.
落下，跌落；倒下。
To decrease in number, amount, or strength.
（数量、程度等）下降，减少。
An act of falling; a downward movement or decrease.
跌落；下降，减少。
(American English) the season between summer and winter; autumn.
（美式英语）秋天。
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedThis fall is the native Germanic word from Old English feallan ("to drop") — NOT the Latin fallere behind fallacy and false. It just shares the spelling. The American name for autumn comes from "the fall of the leaf," when leaves drop.
Root fall still carries 12 more wordsWhy It Means This
Worth flagging clearly: this fall is etymologically unrelated to fallacy, false, and fail, even though they sit on the same root page. Those come from Latin fallere (to deceive); fall comes from Germanic feallan (to drop). They are connected only by spelling and by the loose shared idea of "coming down" — into error (Latin) versus toward the ground (Germanic).
Usage Guide
Note the AmE/BrE split for autumn: Americans say fall, the British say autumn (both understand each other). The verb is irregular: fall – fell – fallen (don't say "falled"). Many phrasal verbs live here: fall apart, fall behind, fall through, fall for someone.
Example Sentences
- 1.
Be careful not to fall on the icy steps.
- 2.
House prices fell sharply during the recession.
- 3.
The leaves turn red and gold in the fall.