befall

[ bih-fawl ]

verb (used without object)

, be·fell, be·fall·en, be·fall·ing.

1. to happen or occur.

   Synonyms: chance, materialize, betide, ensue, bechance

2. Archaic. to come, as by right.

verb (used with object)

, be·fell, be·fall·en, be·fall·ing.

1. to happen to, especially by chance or fate.

befall

/ bɪˈfɔːl /

verb

1. intr to take place; come to pass
2. tr to happen to
3. intrusually foll byto to be due, as by right

Word History and Origins

Origin of befall¹

before 900; Middle English befallen, Old English befeallan. See be-, fall (v.)

Word History and Origins

Origin of befall¹

Old English befeallan ; related to Old High German bifallan , Dutch bevallen ; see be- , fall

Example Sentences

Playing Beth’s mother, Grace, she volunteers to direct their small town’s famed Christmas pageant after an incident befalls the longtime director.

From Los Angeles Times

What has befallen the Democratic Party in 2024 is a catastrophe, and it must be understood in those terms.

From Salon

She believed that the only way for her characters to overcome the horrible circumstances that had befallen them was to band together and fight the giant corporate farms that were overtaking the agricultural industry.

From Salon

The apparent assassination plot is the second such incident to befall Trump this year.

From Salon

District officials say they have no understanding of what befell the company.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• ensue
• materialize
• transpire