BEFALL (befallen, befell)

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

Irregular inflected forms: befallen    , befell   

 Dictionary entry overview: What does befall mean? 

• BEFALL (verb)
  The verb BEFALL has 2 senses:

1. become of; happen to

2. happen, occur, or be the case in the course of events or by chance

  Familiarity information: BEFALL used as a verb is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• BEFALL (verb)

Present simple: I / you / we / they befall    ... he / she / it befalls   
Past simple: befell   
Past participle: befallen   
-ing form: befalling   

Sense 1

Meaning:

Become of; happen to

Classified under:

Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.

Synonyms:

bechance; befall; betide

Context example:

What has become of my children?

Hypernyms (to "befall" is one way to...):

come about; fall out; go on; hap; happen; occur; pass; pass off; take place (come to pass)

Sentence frame:

Something ----s somebody

Sense 2

Meaning:

Happen, occur, or be the case in the course of events or by chance

Classified under:

Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.

Synonyms:

bechance; befall; happen

Context example:

These things befell

Hypernyms (to "befall" is one way to...):

come about; fall out; go on; hap; happen; occur; pass; pass off; take place (come to pass)

Verb group:

happen (chance to be or do something, without intention or causation)

Sentence frame:

Something ----s

 Context examples 

Let him take heed lest worse befall him.

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

We had shaken off Lord Mount-James, and Overton had gone to consult with the other members of his team over the misfortune which had befallen them.

(The Return of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Whatever it might be, it was perfectly clear that there was no possible use in my resisting, and that I could only wait to see what might befall.

(The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

“True,” said Mr. Bennet, “but it is a comfort to think that whatever of that kind may befall you, you have an affectionate mother who will make the most of it.”

(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)

“Pray compose yourself, sir,” said Holmes, “and let me have a clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen you.”

(The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

While on the question of vagaries, I shall tell what befell Thomas Mugridge in the cabin, and at the same time complete an incident upon which I have already touched once or twice.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

His pale lips quivered as he listened to the dreadful experience which had befallen his family, and his dark eyes seemed to reflect something of the horror of the scene.

(His Last Bow, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

And here is a strange thing that befell Yamikan.

(Love of Life and Other Stories, by Jack London)

Alas! said he to his wife, what ill luck has befallen me!—my wine is all spilt, and my horses all three dead.

(Fairy Tales, by The Brothers Grimm)

These biscuits, should anything befall me, would keep me, at least, from starving till far on in the next day.

(Treasure Island, by Robert Louis Stevenson)