what's the difference between autumn and fall?

Answer 1

Fall is an alternative English word for the season of Autumn. In use now only in North American English, the word traces its origins to old Germanic languages. The exact derivation is unclear, the Old English fiæll or feallan and the Old Norse fall all being possible candidates. However, these words all have the meaning "to fall from a height" and are clearly derived either from a common root or from each other. The term only came to denote the season in the 16th century, a contraction of Middle English expressions like "fall of the leaf" and "fall of the year".

Autumn comes from the Old French automne, and ultimately from the Latin autumnus. There are rare examples of its use as early as the 14th century, but it became common only in the 16th, around the same time as Fall, when the two words appear to have been used interchangebly.

During the 17th century immigration to the English colonies in North America was at its peak and the new settlers took their language with them. While the term Fall gradually obsolesced in Britain, it became the preferred term in North America, at least in conversation.

Before the 16th century Harvest was the term usually used to refer to the season. However as more people gradually moved from working the land to living in towns (especially those who could read and write, the only people whose use of language we now know), the word became to refer to the actual activity of reaping, rather than the time of year, and Fall and Autumn began to replace it.

Answer 2

The name

Answer 3

There is no difference between autumn and fall. They are just two different words or synonyms.

Answer 4

i think that autumn is more official, because fall could sound like a verb rather than a name. But there really is no difference, they both are used equally.

Answer 5

Nothing. 'Fall' is just an American name for Autumn isn't it? They call it that because traditionally it is the time when the leaves fall from the trees.

Answer 6

The two words are synonymous; I personally think of "autumn" as being a little more formal.

Answer 7

Autumn is a Latin-derived word; fall is Anglo-Saxon. But they both refer to the same season.

Answer 8

Time " falls" back one hour, and leaves fall. it happens during this season.
Just the reverse in the Spring season.

Answer 9

Nothing--just different terms for the same season.
Fall is less formal.

Answer 10

they are the same season... the only difference is in the name