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

• benediction
• benefit
• blessing
• boon
• felicity
• godsend
• good
• manna

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

Connecticut has used such windfalls in recent years to dramatically reduce its huge pension debt, which topped $35 billion entering this fiscal year. —Keith M. Phaneuf, Hartford Courant, 16 Jan. 2025

The technician plans to invest some of the money from his financial windfall while using the rest to pay bills. —Shyla Watson, People.com, 8 Jan. 2025

Rather, the Social Security Fairness Act restores windfall Social Security benefit payments to public sector employees who participate in a government pension plan as a substitute for Social Security. —Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 7 Jan. 2025

President-elect Trump is criticizing the United Kingdom’s energy policy and saying it should get rid of windmills after a company blamed the country’s windfall tax for its early exit from drilling in Europe’s North Sea. —Rachel Frazin, The Hill, 3 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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