noun
windfall
WIHND-fawl
Windfall (noun) means an unexpected and welcome sum of money, such as from an inheritance or lottery win. Example: “The family used their windfall to pay off the mortgage.”
noun
1
An unexpected and welcome sum of money, such as from an inheritance or lottery win.
"The family used their windfall to pay off the mortgage."
"A tax rebate gave everyone a small windfall this year."
2
Fruit blown down from a tree by the wind.
"She made jam from the windfall apples in the orchard."
How to use windfall
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishMost commonly, a sudden and unearned stroke of financial luck.
Common pairings
a windfall profit
windfall tax
windfall gain
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Word forms
- Plural
- windfalls
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The family used their _____ to pay off the mortgage.
Etymology
Originally literal — fruit or wood "blown down" by the wind — before the figurative sense of unexpected good fortune developed.
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “windfall” mean?
The word “windfall” means an unexpected and welcome sum of money, such as from an inheritance or lottery win. In plain terms, most commonly, a sudden and unearned stroke of financial luck.
How do you pronounce “windfall”?
“Windfall” is pronounced WIHND-fawl (/ˈwɪnd.fɔl/ in IPA).
How do you use “windfall” in a sentence?
Here is “windfall” used in a sentence: “The family used their windfall to pay off the mortgage.”
What part of speech is “windfall”?
“Windfall” is a noun.
How many meanings does “windfall” have?
“Windfall” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: an unexpected and welcome sum of money, such as from an inheritance or lottery win.
