English dictionary, thesaurus, translations & etymology
FreeDict.com
adjective B1 Intermediate Common

fallen

FAW-luhn

Fallen (adjective) means having dropped down, especially due to gravity. Example: “Fallen branches littered the forest path after the storm.”

adjective
1
Having dropped down, especially due to gravity.
"Fallen branches littered the forest path after the storm."
2
Killed in battle or war.
"A ceremony was held to honor the fallen soldiers."
noun
1
Those who have died, especially in war (used with "the").
"The monument lists the names of the fallen."

How to use fallen

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishHaving fallen down, or — especially — having died in battle.

Common pairings
fallen soldiers fallen tree honor the fallen

Word forms

more fallen comparative, fallen plural, most fallen superlative, fallenest superlative

Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.
Test yourself on “fallen” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

_____ branches littered the forest path after the storm.

Etymology

The past participle of fall, formed with the ending -en.

dropped toppled downed slain

Antonyms

arisen

Related words

Rhymes for fallen

See all rhymes for fallen →

Frequently asked questions

What does “fallen” mean?

The word “fallen” means having dropped down, especially due to gravity. In plain terms, having fallen down, or — especially — having died in battle.

How do you pronounce “fallen”?

“Fallen” is pronounced FAW-luhn (/ˈfɔlən/ in IPA).

How do you use “fallen” in a sentence?

Here is “fallen” used in a sentence: “Fallen branches littered the forest path after the storm.”

What is the opposite of “fallen”?

The opposite of “fallen” — its antonyms — is arisen.

What part of speech is “fallen”?

Depending on how it is used, “fallen” can be an adjective and a noun.

Is “fallen” a common word?

“Fallen” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.

How many meanings does “fallen” have?

“Fallen” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: having dropped down, especially due to gravity.

What is the difference between fell and fallen?

Fell is the simple past tense of fall, used on its own, as in she fell over. Fallen is the past participle, used with have, has, or had, as in the tree has fallen; saying has fell is a common mistake.

Featured in

People also searched

Definitions: FreeDict original editorial