befall

verb

be·​fall bi-ˈfȯl 

bē-

befell bi-ˈfel 

bē-

; befallen bi-ˈfȯ-lən 

bē-

intransitive verb

: to happen especially as if by fate

transitive verb

: to happen to

the fate that befell them

Synonyms

• happen
• occur

Examples of befall in a Sentence

It's sad to think of the unhappy fate that befell him.

The drought was only one of many hardships to befall the small country.

Recent Examples on the Web

In this soft dystopia, our military forces will not be destroyed in a cataclysmic confrontation with the armies of Communism, as befell Nazi Germany on the Eastern Front. —Seth Harp, Harpers Magazine, 19 Sep. 2025

At Delta State University on Wednesday, there were few signs of the tragedy that befell the campus this week and disrupted the beginning of a new school year. —Daniella Silva, NBC news, 18 Sep. 2025

Xayavong had befallen the same fate and was found about a week later in a Coon Rapids storage unit. —Mara H. Gottfried, Twin Cities, 14 Sep. 2025

Consequences have befallen others who have made controversial comments in the aftermath of Kirk's death. —Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 11 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English befallen, going back to Old English befeallan (parallel to Old High German bifallan "to fall"), from be- be- + feallan "to fall entry 1"

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Rhymes for befall

• aldol
• armhole
• atoll
• awol
• backhaul
• banal
• baseball
• cabal
• catchall
• cecal
• centrale
• downfall

Kids Definition

befall

verb

be·​fall bi-ˈfȯl 

befell -ˈfel  ; befallen -ˈfȯ-lən  ; befalling

1

: to take place : happen

2

: to happen to