Fell Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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fell

[fel ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Verb}

action

to descend freely by the force of gravity

Synonyms

descend, drop, plummet, tumble.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
fell	Commonly used to describe cutting down trees or causing something to fall, especially in a deliberate or controlled way. 'The lumberjack felled the tree with a single axe stroke ' 'The soldiers felled their enemies with precise shots '
drop	Refers to something falling due to gravity, often accidentally or unintentionally. Can also mean a decrease in quantity or intensity. 'She accidentally dropped her phone on the pavement ' 'There was a sudden drop in temperature '
descend	Used to describe moving downwards, often gradually or in a more controlled manner, such as going down stairs, slopes, or levels. 'The hikers began to descend the mountain ' 'The elevator descended to the ground floor '

Word

Description / Examples

fell

Commonly used to describe cutting down trees or causing something to fall, especially in a deliberate or controlled way.

'The lumberjack felled the tree with a single axe stroke
' 'The soldiers felled their enemies with precise shots
'

drop

Refers to something falling due to gravity, often accidentally or unintentionally. Can also mean a decrease in quantity or intensity.

'She accidentally dropped her phone on the pavement
' 'There was a sudden drop in temperature
'

descend

Used to describe moving downwards, often gradually or in a more controlled manner, such as going down stairs, slopes, or levels.

'The hikers began to descend the mountain
' 'The elevator descended to the ground floor
'

Examples of usage

She fell down the stairs.
The apple fell from the tree.
The rain fell gently.

^{Context #2 | Verb}

emotion

to experience a sudden decline in status, happiness, or health

Synonyms

decline, deteriorate, plummet, worsen.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
fell	Used to describe something that has moved downward or collapsed, often suddenly and with some impact. The tree fell during the storm He fell off his bike and hurt his knee
decline	Used in a formal context to describe a gradual decrease or reduction in quantity, quality, or importance. The company's profits declined over the last quarter The population of the town has been in decline for years
worsen	Used to describe something that becomes more severe or poor in quality, generally in a negative sense. If we don't act now, the situation will worsen His symptoms worsened after he stopped taking the medication
deteriorate	Used to describe something that gets worse over time, often relating to health, conditions, or quality. The patient's condition began to deteriorate rapidly The building's structure has deteriorated due to neglect
plummet	Used to describe a rapid and steep fall, typically involving numbers, prices, or values. The stock market values plummeted after the economic crisis Temperatures plummeted overnight

Examples of usage

He fell into depression after losing his job.
The stock market fell sharply.
She fell out of favor with her colleagues.

^{Context #3 | Noun}

accident

an instance of falling or dropping down

Synonyms

descent, drop, spill, tumble.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
fell	Primarily used to describe something or someone moving downward from a higher position, often implying a certain speed or suddenness. He slipped on the wet floor and fell The leaves fell gently from the tree
tumble	Refers to a fall that involves rolling or turning over, typically in an uncontrolled manner. The child tumbled down the hill but wasn't hurt The acrobat performed a perfect tumble
drop	Implies a quick or sharp decrease in position, temperature, amount, etc. Also used to describe intentionally letting something fall. Be careful not to drop the vase There was a sudden drop in temperature last night
descent	Used for a more formal or gradual downward movement, often linked to a journey or process. The descent down the mountain was challenging The plane began its descent into the city
spill	Describes causing liquid or other substance to unintentionally flow out of its container, often creating a mess. Carries a slightly negative connotation. She spilled coffee all over her papers The oil spill caused significant environmental damage

Examples of usage

She had a nasty fall while skiing.
He slipped and had a bad fall.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Literature

In Shakespeare's works, the term appears to convey loss or tragedy, enhancing emotional stakes.
It’s often used in poetic contexts to describe the act of falling as a metaphor for failure or despair.
The phrase 'fell from grace' captures the idea of a dramatic fall in status or virtue.

Geography

In British English, 'fell' refers to a hill or mountain, particularly in the Lake District.
It's commonly used to describe rugged, elevated terrains, often associated with sheep grazing.
Fells are known for their unique ecosystems and can be a popular choice for hiking and nature exploration.

Psychology

The act of 'falling' can symbolize vulnerability, triggering responses related to fear or anxiety in people.
This concept can be linked to the 'falling' sensation experienced during dreams, often associated with loss of control.
Falling can also refer to emotional states, where someone might 'fall' into despair or happiness.

Pop Culture

The term 'fell' is often used in action movies when characters drop from heights or are defeated dramatically.
It appears in various songs and music, often symbolizing love lost or significant life changes.
Games and sports frequently incorporate 'fell' as a term for falling or being knocked down by an opponent.

Origin of 'fell'

Main points about word origin

The word 'fell' comes from the Old English 'fellan', meaning 'to cause to fall'.
It was originally used in the context of hunting, referring to bringing down game animals.
Over time, 'fell' has evolved to also describe landscapes, as in steep hills or slopes.

The word 'fell' originated from the Old English word 'feallan', which means 'to fall or drop from a higher to a lower place'. It has been used in various contexts throughout history, from describing physical movements to emotional declines. The word has evolved over time to encompass a wide range of meanings and usages.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #1,305, this word is part of core intermediate vocabulary. It appears regularly in various contexts and is essential for natural-sounding English.

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1302 wood
1303 limit
1304 avoid
1305 fell
1306 accept
1307 possession
1308 properly
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