downfall

[ doun-fawl ]

noun

1. descent to a lower position or standing; overthrow; ruin.
2. something causing ruin, failure, etc.:

   Liquor was his downfall.

3. a fall, as of rain, snow, or the like, often sudden or heavy.
4. a trap using a falling weight for killing, injuring, or imprisoning the prey.

downfall

/ ˈdaʊnˌfɔːl /

noun

1. a sudden loss of position, health, or reputation
2. a fall of rain, snow, etc, esp a sudden heavy one
3. See deadfall
   another word for deadfall

Other Words From

• downfallen adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of downfall¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English; down ¹ + fall

Example Sentences

The book is sad because it is the recounting of the downfall of a dedicated public servant.

From Fortune

The death of Kenosha’s automobile industry cost tens of thousands of people their jobs, and turned the city into a casualty of the downfall of American manufacturing.

From Fortune

Arafel Buzan, co-lead at the Mindshare neuroscience team, says the memory of the last economic downfall is still fresh for Gen Xers, many of whom are still recovering from that crisis.

From Ozy

This did not, however, lead to a wider embrace of American culture, much less the downfall of communism.

From Freakonomics

So, if you choose to stop working on digital marketing, you would see a severe downfall after a quarter or so.

From Search Engine Watch

Her downfall came about, because for a second she forgot that to swim in the shark pool, you have to always act like a shark.

From The Daily Beast

And it was probably at least partly this that precipitated his downfall.

From The Daily Beast

So, can the Canadian tuxedo be blamed for the Britney-Justin love downfall?

From The Daily Beast

And one day, if I have anything to do with it, that lack of moderation will be his downfall.

From The Daily Beast

According to Barry, the changes he brought about as mayor are the reasons for his downfall.

From The Daily Beast

In looking back over a wasted life, many a person can see that his or her downfall had its origin in the first novel.

From Project Gutenberg

When the downfall of Tryggvi had been accomplished, Astrid fled away bearing with her what chattels she might.

From Project Gutenberg

These two causes would have been alone sufficient to bring about the downfall of the companies.

From Project Gutenberg

Trees gave way before the constantly gathering mass of white, and joined in the downfall.

From Project Gutenberg

The winning of Rome meant the downfall of the Papacy, the triumph of liberty of conscience, the dawn of a new religion.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• breakdown
• collapse
• debacle
• destruction
• deterioration
• overthrow
• undoing