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pitfall
[ pit-fawl ]
/ ËpÉȘtËfÉl /
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This shows grade level based on the word's complexity.
noun
a lightly covered and unnoticeable pit prepared as a trap for people or animals.
any trap or danger for the unwary: the pitfall of excessive pride.
QUIZ
QUIZ YOURSELF ON "WAS" VS. "WERE"!
Were you ready for a quiz on this topic? Well, here it is! See how well you can differentiate between the uses of "was" vs. "were" in this quiz.
Question 1 of 7
âWasâ is used for the indicative past tense of âto be,â and âwereâ is only used for the subjunctive past tense.
Origin of pitfall
First recorded in 1275â1325; Middle English pittefalle, equivalent to pittepit1 + falle (Old English fealle) âtrapâ
synonym study for pitfall
1, 2. See trap1.
Words nearby pitfall
pitch woo, pitchy, pit dwelling, piteous, Pitesti, pitfall, pit grave, pith, pithead, pithecanthrope, pithecanthropoid
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022
How to use pitfall in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for pitfall
pitfall
/ (ËpÉȘtËfÉËl) /
noun
an unsuspected difficulty or danger
a trap in the form of a concealed pit, designed to catch men or wild animals
Word Origin for pitfall
Old English pytt pit 1 + fealle trap
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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