Windfall
What it means
An unexpected gain or benefit that arrives without being planned.
Reach for it when describing good fortune while distinguishing it from earned or recurring income
The unplanned grant was a windfall for the youth orchestra.
Words to choose between 7
| playful | |
|---|---|
| everyday |
|
| warm | |
| professional | |
| formal | |
| literary |
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playful
Fits when an unusually large lucky gain deserves excitement
Careful Jackpot suggests gambling and greatly overstates many windfalls.
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everyday
Fits when an extra benefit is linked to work, purchase, or an arrangement
Careful A bonus is often expected or earned, unlike a true windfall.
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everyday
surprise benefit
Fits when a nonfinancial advantage appears unexpectedly
Careful Surprise benefit sounds explanatory and lacks windfall's substantial gain.
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warm
stroke of luck
Fits when chance itself should sound conversational
Careful The phrase emphasizes luck but not the size or usefulness of the gain.
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professional
unexpected gain
Fits when neutral financial wording is needed
Careful The phrase is precise but loses the sense of good fortune.
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formal
Fits when something proves especially helpful
Careful A boon can be deliberately created and need not be unexpected.
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literary
Fits when abundance feels generous or providential
Careful Bounty can be earned payment or natural abundance rather than an accident.
Opposites 3
- loss
- setback
- shortfall
Common phrases 3
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financial windfall
The financial windfall allowed the cooperative to replace unsafe wiring.
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unexpected windfall
A donated kiln was an unexpected windfall for the ceramics class.
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receive a windfall
If the trust receives a windfall, half will enter its repair reserve.
Definitions and examples are written for this site. How words are chosen Recording: عُثمان, British accent, from Wikimedia Commons, CC0 Updated