windfall

noun

wind·​fall ˈwin(d)-ˌfȯl 

1

: something (such as a tree or fruit) blown down by the wind

2

: an unexpected, unearned, or sudden gain or advantage

Synonyms of windfall

• benefit
• blessing
• boon
• gift

Examples of windfall in a Sentence

They received a windfall because of the tax cuts.

hitting the lottery jackpot was an incredible windfall for the recently laid-off worker

Recent Examples on the Web

How Swift has anything to do with this windfall is a bit complicated, and goes all the way back to the major record labels’ original licensing agreements with Spotify from the late 2000s, which got the companies stock in the then-fledgling streaming service. —Ethan Millman, HollywoodReporter, 29 Apr. 2026

Owners of second homes — and Airbnb — stand to reap a windfall under an initiative in Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass’ new city budget proposal. —Los Angeles Times, 29 Apr. 2026

Several European nations, including Spain, Italy, and Portugal, are also petitioning the EU to revive a windfall tax system last imposed in 2022 during the early days of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. —Tristan Bove, Fortune, 28 Apr. 2026

The sextuplets and their mother are all doing well, making the lamb windfall even more remarkable. —ABC News, 27 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for windfall

• aldol
• armhole
• atoll
• awol
• backhaul
• banal
• baseball
• befall
• cabal
• catchall
• cecal
• centrale

Kids Definition

windfall

noun

wind·​fall -ˌfȯl 

1

: something (as a tree or fruit) blown down by the wind

2

: an unexpected gift, gain, or help