windfall

/ˈwɪndfɔːl/ (bre, ipa) · [wˈɪndfˌɔl] /ˈwɪndfɔːl/ (ame, ipa) · [wˈɪndfˌɔl] /ˈwin(d)-ˌfȯl How to pronounce windfall (audio)/ (ame, mw)

windfall — noun

  • windfallsingular
  • windfallsplural

1. a sum of money that comes to someone by surprise, rather than through their usua

1.名詞B2
釋義

a sum of money that comes to someone by surprise, rather than through their usual pay or plans.

例句

After selling the old land, Ari got a windfall of nearly two million dollars.

windfall of + amount

Nellie used her tax-refund windfall to clear the last of her student debt.

tax-refund windfall

同義詞
  • bonus

    often comes from work or company policy, so it can be expected more than a windfall

  • jackpot

    stronger and more dramatic; often linked to gambling or an unusually huge gain

  • payout

    focuses on money being paid out, while windfall stresses the lucky surprise

用法筆記

Usually used for one-time money from a sale, refund, inheritance, or legal payment. It suggests surprise and does not describe steady income you expect every month.

常見錯誤

❌The company promised a windfall salary increase next year.
✅The company gave staff a windfall bonus this year.
💡A windfall is unexpected money received at one time, not a regular raise.

2. fruit lying on the ground after strong wind has knocked it off a tree.

2.名詞C2
釋義

fruit lying on the ground after strong wind has knocked it off a tree.

例句

After the storm, Jisoo filled two baskets with windfalls from the orchard.

plural: gather windfalls

The farmer let the children collect windfalls for pies and apple jam.

同義詞
  • fallen fruit

    plain descriptive phrase; less lexicalized than windfall

用法筆記

This sense is usually used in farming or gardening contexts. It is often plural because people gather several fallen pieces of fruit at once.