windfall

American  

[wind-fawl] / ˈwɪndˌfɔl /

noun

1. an unexpected gain, piece of good fortune, or the like.

   I've recently come into a windfall and am considering early retirement.

2. an unexpected positive result or by-product.

   The industry’s profits are a windfall of war.

3. something blown down by the wind, such as fruit or a tree.

   We'll have plenty of firewood for winter, as there are a lot of pine windfalls around.

   She has a dozen apple trees, and every day she picks up the windfalls for eating and baking.

4. the fall of something blown down by the wind.

   The orchard must be sheltered from prevailing winds, as a windfall of peaches too early in the season can be disastrous.

5. a quantity or mass of trees blown down by the wind, or an area containing many such trees.

   The road was covered by extensive windfall which had to be cut and removed.

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adjective

1. (of profit or other gain) coming unexpectedly and in a large amount.

   One new business relationship can produce tens of thousands of dollars in windfall profits.

2. blown down by the wind.

   In addition to grain, his free-range chickens eat bugs and windfall fruit.

windfall British  

/ ˈwɪndˌfɔːl /

noun

1. a piece of unexpected good fortune, esp financial gain

2. something blown down by the wind, esp a piece of fruit

3. a plot of land covered with trees blown down by the wind

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windfall Cultural  

1. An unexpected profit from a business or other source. The term connotes gaining huge profits without working for them — for example, when oil companies profit from a temporary scarcity of oil.

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Etymology

Origin of windfall

First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English; wind ¹ + fall

Example Sentences

One of these initial bets hit, resulting in a nearly $5,000 windfall.

From MarketWatch

Beecher argued Zambrano could eventually be granted asylum and “receive a real windfall” if the court were to dismiss with prejudice.

From Los Angeles Times

His father said scouts and coaches felt Mark was ready to play college ball and that the decision was unrelated to the anticipated NIL windfall.

From The Wall Street Journal

Not all Equity for Punks investors were motivated by the chance of a windfall profit.

From BBC

Here’s how that relates to my tax refund: I love the windfall, but my inner grouchy accountant knows it’s just my money returning with 0% APY.

From MarketWatch

Related Words

• bonanza
• bonus