downfall

[doun-fawl]

noun

1. descent to a lower position or standing; overthrow; ruin.

2. something causing ruin, failure, etc..

   Liquor was his downfall.

3. a fall, as of rain, snow, or the like, often sudden or heavy.

4. a trap using a falling weight for killing, injuring, or imprisoning the prey.

downfall

/ ˈdaʊnˌfɔːl /

noun

1. a sudden loss of position, health, or reputation

2. a fall of rain, snow, etc, esp a sudden heavy one

3. another word for deadfall

Other Word Forms

• downfallen adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of downfall¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English; down ¹ + fall

Example Sentences

But Nast kept up a furious pace of cartooning, hastening Tweed’s downfall on corruption charges.

From Los Angeles Times

Let’s dive into Deen’s career downfall, along with her first attempt at a television comeback.

From Salon

The Belgium international left City when his contract expired in June and, having made it clear it was not his choice to leave, is now plotting their downfall with Napoli.

From BBC

But few minds – if any – change that quickly, and approaching these conversations as small windows of opportunity ends up being their downfall.

From Salon

Her husband was convicted last year and sentenced to 11 years for the scheme that also led to his political downfall.

From BBC

Related Words

• breakdown 
• collapse 
• debacle 
• destruction 
• deterioration 
• overthrow 
• undoing