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

• be
• betide
• chance
• come
• come about
• come down
• come off
• cook
• do
• go down [slang]
• go on
• hap
• happen
• occur
• pass
• transpire

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

Cal Thresher is barely done big-dogging Armand when the same fate befalls him. —Sean T. Collins, Vulture, 3 Nov. 2024

Those troubles didn’t befall the hotels in the area. —Alex Zaragoza, Los Angeles Times, 18 July 2024

The 23-year-old captive’s parents showed all the anguish and anxiety that would befall anyone in their unendurable position. —Noah Rothman, National Review, 3 Sep. 2024

Watch Under Wraps on Disney+ 20 of 46 Don't Look Under the Bed When a mysterious prankster befalls the town of Middlesburg, 13-year-old Frances McCausland (Erin Chambers) gets blamed for the mischief. —Catherine Santino, People.com, 11 Oct. 2024

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

Kids Definition

befall

verb

be·​fall bi-ˈfȯl 

befell -ˈfel  ; befallen -ˈfȯ-lən  ; befalling

1

: to take place : happen

2

: to happen to