# windfall

/ˈwɪndˌfɔɫ/ (US) · /wˈɪndfɔːl/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/windfall
Updated: 2026-05-18

## Definition

a sudden and unexpected gain of money or something valuable. It is often a lucky break that happens by chance.

For teachers: an unexpected and sudden gain of money or property. Often used to describe a windfall of fortune or a sudden increase in income.

## Examples

- The lottery win was a huge windfall for the family.
- The sudden sale of the old property provided a much-needed windfall to pay off the mortgage.
- While the initial windfall from the merger allowed the company to expand rapidly, the long-term success depended on maintaining the quality of their core products.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.