NYT Dictionary

BEFALL

/bɪˈfɔl/
VerbNounbe-FALLbe-fall · 2 syllablesGrade 6

Accepted in official NYT Spelling Bee puzzle years: 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024

Meaning

To fall upon; fall all over; overtake.

Etymology

Origin: Old English

From Middle English bifallen, from Old English befeallan, from Proto-West Germanic *bifallan, from Proto-Germanic *bifallaną; equivalent to be- + fall.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

come to passoccurtranspirebechancebetidehappenbreakchancecomedevelop

NYT Puzzle Appearances

Accepted in 3 recorded puzzles:

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