WordValewindfall
a large, unexpected gain of money
In more detail
1. (noun) an unexpected piece of good luck or a sudden financial gain
2. (noun) a fruit or tree that has been blown down by wind
Examples
- 1. Winning the lottery would be a windfall for our family.
- 2. After the storm, there were many windfalls scattered across the orchard.
How to use windfall
Windfall primarily refers to an unexpected financial benefit or lucky occurrence, used in both personal and business contexts. It carries a positive, fortunate tone and often implies the gain was neither planned nor earned through effort. The term can also denote literally fallen fruit or trees, though this literal sense is now less common.
Common phrases
- windfall profit
- windfall gain
- windfall tax
- unexpected windfall
- sudden windfall
- financial windfall
Synonyms
stroke of luck · godsend · bonanza · piece of good fortune · unexpected gain
Opposites
misfortune · loss
Word family
windfalls (plural)
A common mistake
Learners sometimes use 'windfall' to describe any financial gain or profit, forgetting that the key element is unexpectedness and the sense of luck or fortune rather than earned income or planned revenue.
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