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

Read Dead Redemption 2 befell a similar fate, after it was initially set to be released at the end of 2017, but was delayed twice and ultimately released in October 2018. —Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 9 Dec. 2024

After depression from the loss of his brother, the same fate befell Elijah two months later. —Jenna Intersimone, USA TODAY, 27 Nov. 2024

In fact, an ugly moment befell the San Francisco sideline when star receiver Deebo Samuel was spotted grabbing the neck of his long snapper teammate, Taybor Pepper. —Scott Thompson, Fox News, 11 Nov. 2024

The French top-flight club undertook a review of the team’s performance during Vieira’s first and only campaign and decided to hire a new head coach, which is also the fate that befell Chelsea coach Mauricio Pochettino after one year in the job in west London. —Adam Crafton, The Athletic, 25 July 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