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

Potter's downfall has come from joining two clubs with polar opposite approaches to Brighton, where Bloom never lost faith even after an early run of only two wins in 19 games.

From BBC

Clive Black, head of consumer research and vice chair of Shore Capital, attributed Bodycare's downfall to "a management team who cannot cope with an evolving market, stronger competition and rising costs".

From BBC

It was a row over that timetabling that ultimately led to his downfall.

From BBC

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

Related Words

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