fell

fell — verb

1. The form of the verb 'fall' that is used to talk about something that happened i

1.verbA1
Definition

The form of the verb 'fall' that is used to talk about something that happened in the past — for example, when someone dropped to the ground or something went down by itself.

Example

Minh slipped on the wet floor and fell sideways onto the carpet.

fell + adverb of direction (sideways, backwards, forward)

The temperature in the valley fell by nearly ten degrees overnight.

fell + by + [amount/number]

Common collocations
  • fell from
  • fell off
  • fell down
  • fell to the ground
  • fell over
  • fell by [amount]
Synonyms
  • dropped

    Dropped is more deliberate — you can drop something on purpose; 'fell' is always accidental or natural.

  • tumbled

    Tumbled suggests rolling or turning over as you fall; less common in everyday speech.

  • collapsed

    Collapsed implies something gave way from underneath (building, structure, person) rather than simply moving downward.

Antonyms
  • rose

    Rose is the opposite of fell for amounts, prices, or temperatures.

  • stood up

    Stood up or got up is the opposite for a person who has fallen.

Grammar Patterns

fell (irregular past form of fall)

Usage Note

Fell is the past tense of 'fall'; the past participle is 'fallen'. This form is used with all subjects (I fell, she fell, they fell) and can express physical dropping, temperature decrease, or emotional disappointment (e.g. face fell).

Common Mistakes

Yesterday I have fallen on the ice.
Yesterday I fell on the ice.
Use past simple 'fell' for a completed past action, not the present perfect.

2. To cut through the trunk of a tree at its base so that it falls to the ground, u

2.verbtransitiveB1
Definition

To cut through the trunk of a tree at its base so that it falls to the ground, usually as part of forestry work or land clearing.

Example

The forestry team felled nearly a hundred pine trees to make way for the new road.

fell + [number] + [type of tree]

A single worker can fell a moderate-sized birch in under fifteen minutes with a chainsaw.

Common collocations
  • fell a tree
  • fell timber
  • fell woodland
  • be felled by a storm
  • felled with an axe
Synonyms
  • chop down

    Chop down emphasises using an axe (chopping motion) rather than sawing, but is used informally for any method.

  • cut down

    Cut down is a more general term that also works for bushes, plants, or grass — 'fell' is specific to trees.

  • log

    Log means to cut trees into logs after felling; it is a separate step in the process.

Antonyms
  • plant

    To plant a tree is the opposite action to felling one.

Grammar Patterns

fell + [tree]

be felled + by + [agent]

Usage Note

This sense is different from the past tense 'fell' (see verb sense 1). It is a regular verb: fell — felled — felled. Used primarily about trees; for knocking down people or animals see verb sense 3.

Common Mistakes

The storm felled many trees.' (correct meaning, but storm didn't cut them — it blew them down).
The storm brought down many trees.
Use 'fell' only when a person or machine intentionally cuts a tree.

3. To hit or trip someone so hard during a game or fight that they fall to the grou

3.verbtransitiveB2
Definition

To hit or trip someone so hard during a game or fight that they fall to the ground, often resulting in injury or a penalty.

Example

The defender felled the striker with a sliding tackle just inside the penalty area.

fell + [person] + with + [method]

Darius was felled by a high kick to the chest during the second round of the match.

passive: be felled + by + [blow/action]

Common collocations
  • fell an opponent
  • felled by a tackle
  • felled with a punch
Synonyms
  • knock down

    Knock down is the everyday equivalent; 'fell' sounds more dramatic and is used mainly in sports commentary.

  • tackle

    Tackle is a specific sports term (especially in football/rugby) for legally bringing a player down. 'Fell' is broader.

  • bring down

    Bring down is neutral and can be used for people, animals, or objects — 'fell' is more forceful.

Grammar Patterns

fell + [person/player]

be felled + by + [tackle/opponent]

Usage Note

Distinguish from verb sense 2: 'fell' a person means knock them down; 'fell' a tree means cut it down. The past tense is regular (felled — felled), identical to sense 2. In everyday conversation, 'knock down' or 'tackle' is more common than 'fell'.

Common Mistakes

He felled off the horse.
He fell off the horse.
The past tense of 'fall' is 'fell' (irregular), used when someone drops by accident. 'Felled' (regular) means someone deliberately knocked someone or something down.

fell — noun

fell — adjective

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/2

These verbs all describe removing a tree or tall object, but they differ in method and tone. 'Fell' is the precise technical term for cutting a tree at its base so it falls — it is used in forestry and official contexts. 'Chop down' suggests using an axe with repeated swinging motions, though it is also used informally for any tree removal. 'Cut down' is the most general term, working for trees, plants, or bushes, and it doesn't specify the tool. 'Hack down' implies rough, clumsy, or violent cutting, often with a heavy blade. 'Bring down' is broader still and can refer to wind, disease, or human action: 'The storm brought down several power lines.' In everyday speech, 'cut down' is the safest choice; 'fell' is best reserved for formal or technical writing about trees.

fell ↗chop down ↗cut down ↗hack downbring down ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

Prepositions

Etymology

Old EnglishOld NorseOld FrenchEnglish

The word 'fell' actually comes from three different historical sources. The verb meaning 'to cut down a tree' (and also 'to knock down') comes from Old English 'fellan' (to cause to fall), which is a causative form of 'feallan' (to fall). The past tense of 'fall' developed naturally from the same root. The noun meaning 'hill' comes from Old Norse 'fjall', brought to northern England by Viking settlers. The adjective meaning 'cruel' comes from Old French 'fel' (fierce, cruel), which also gave English the word 'felon'. This means 'fell' is a rare example of three different words with three different origins that happen to share the same spelling and pronunciation in modern English.