windfall

[ wind-fawl ]

noun

1. an unexpected gain, piece of good fortune, or the like:

   I've recently come into a windfall and am considering early retirement.

2. an unexpected positive result or by-product:

   The industry’s profits are a windfall of war.

3. something blown down by the wind, such as fruit or a tree:

   We'll have plenty of firewood for winter, as there are a lot of pine windfalls around.

   She has a dozen apple trees, and every day she picks up the windfalls for eating and baking.

4. the fall of something blown down by the wind:

   The orchard must be sheltered from prevailing winds, as a windfall of peaches too early in the season can be disastrous.

5. a quantity or mass of trees blown down by the wind, or an area containing many such trees:

   The road was covered by extensive windfall which had to be cut and removed.

adjective

1. (of profit or other gain) coming unexpectedly and in a large amount:

   One new business relationship can produce tens of thousands of dollars in windfall profits.

2. blown down by the wind:

   In addition to grain, his free-range chickens eat bugs and windfall fruit.

windfall

/ ˈwɪndˌfɔːl /

noun

1. a piece of unexpected good fortune, esp financial gain
2. something blown down by the wind, esp a piece of fruit
3. a plot of land covered with trees blown down by the wind

windfall

1. An unexpected profit from a business or other source. The term connotes gaining huge profits without working for them — for example, when oil companies profit from a temporary scarcity of oil.

Word History and Origins

Origin of windfall¹

First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English; wind ¹ + fall

Example Sentences

The team also experienced an economic windfall this season, thanks to the staggering revenue boosts that came with Ohtani’s celebrated arrival and the club’s first full-season World Series title since 1988.

From Los Angeles Times

A US oil firm has said it will end all its operations in the North Sea by the end of 2029, blaming the impact of the windfall tax.

From BBC

The government pledged to invest £8.3bn into the company over the course of this parliament, which is expected to be raised through a windfall tax on oil and gas firms.

From BBC

Here’s an option for folks who have a chunk of money, either from savings, a windfall, or cashing out of another investment.

From Salon

Here’s an option for folks who have a chunk of money, either from savings, a windfall or cashing out of another investment.

From Salon

Related Words

• bonanza
• bonus