fells
fells — noun
- fellssingular
- fellsesplural
1. hills or broad areas of high open land, especially in north-west England
hills or broad areas of high open land, especially in north-west England
Wei and his father hiked across the fells above Keswick before lunch.
pattern: across the fells above + place
Snow stayed on the fells for days after the village roads cleared.
Sheep dotted the green fells beyond the stone walls of the farm.
At sunset, Lucía photographed mist drifting over the distant fells.
collocation: distant fells
- across the fells
- on the fells
- the distant fells
- snow on the fells
- valleys
lower land lying between higher slopes or hills.
Grammar Patterns
across the fells
on the fells
the fells above + place
Usage Note
Mostly used in British landscape writing and travel talk, especially for the Lake District and nearby regions. It normally refers to a stretch of upland country rather than one small hill.
Common Mistakes
fells — verb
- fellspresent simple I / you / we / they
- fellses3rd person singular
- fellsing-ing form
- fellsedpast simple
1. the past simple of 'fall', used when someone or something moved downward or when
the past simple of 'fall', used when someone or something moved downward or when a level became lower
Hamza fell off the ladder while painting the window frame.
pattern: fell off + surface
By noon, the temperature fell below zero in the mountain town.
pattern: fell below + level
A glass fell from the shelf and shattered beside the sink.
Ticket prices fell after the extra evening train service began.
pattern: prices fell
- fell off a ladder
- fell below zero
- fell from the shelf
- prices fell
- rose
the opposite past form when something moved upward or became higher.
Grammar Patterns
fell off + surface
fell below + level
prices fell
Usage Note
This sense exists because 'fell' is the past form of 'fall'. Use 'fell' for a finished past event, but use 'fallen' after has, have, or had.
Common Mistakes
2. cuts a standing tree down so it drops to the ground
cuts a standing tree down so it drops to the ground
The crew fells only marked trees near the power lines.
pattern: fells + trees
Each autumn, Liam fells dead pines before the snow arrives.
The machine fells a whole row of poplars in minutes.
forestry subject: machine fells trees
After the survey, the company fells damaged trees beside the road.
- fells trees
- fells dead pines
- fells marked trees
- fells damaged timber
- cuts down
the general everyday phrase for bringing a tree to the ground.
- chops down
emphasizes repeated blows with an axe or similar tool.
- harvests
broader forestry term that focuses on collecting timber.
- plants
adds new trees instead of removing them.
Grammar Patterns
fells + trees
fells + timber
fells + damaged trees
Usage Note
This is the present-tense form of the verb 'fell'. The object is usually a tree or a group of trees, and the sense belongs mainly to forestry, land management, and storm safety work.
Common Mistakes
3. knocks a person to the ground, especially during sport or a fight
knocks a person to the ground, especially during sport or a fight
A late shoulder charge fells the winger just outside the box.
sports context: fells + player
One clean punch fells the thief before he reaches the gate.
In the final round, Christopher's left hook fells his taller rival.
fight context: hook fells rival
The defender's sliding tackle fells Shanti near the corner flag.
- fells the winger
- fells an opponent
- fells the thief
- tackle fells player
- knocks down
the plain everyday phrase for causing someone to fall.
- floors
stronger and often used when the blow is sudden or dramatic.
- topples
can be used more broadly for making a person or thing lose balance.
- lifts
raises someone up instead of sending them to the ground.
Grammar Patterns
fells + player
fells + opponent
fells + thief
Usage Note
This is also a present-tense form of 'fell', but here it means making a person hit the ground. It is most natural in match reports, boxing talk, and action scenes.
Common Mistakes
Etymology
First known use
12th century
12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1 Verb