verb
fall
To enter a particular state or condition.
The room falls silent when the music suddenly stops.
Etymology
The verb for downward movement broadened to entering a condition, often without deliberate choice. Expressions such as fall asleep or fall silent retain that sense of passing into a state.
More examples
- I often fall asleep while reading.
- Without regular maintenance, the house falls into disrepair.
- She fell ill during her vacation.
Forms
fall · falls · fell · fallen · falling