Compare the Difference Between Similar Terms

Difference Between

Home / Science & Nature / Nature / Universe / Earth / Difference Between Autumn and Fall

Difference Between Autumn and Fall

November 2, 2011 Posted by Olivia

Autumn vs Fall
 

Autumn and fall are the names of the same season that comes between summers and winter. These are often confusing words as many cannot comprehend the difference between the two words. Autumn is strictly American in origin while fall is the term used for the same season in Britain. Is this the only difference between autumn and fall or is there something more that meets the eye? Let us find out in this article.

Autumn

The season that starts with summers departing and before the onset of winters is referred to both as autumn as well as fall and either way it is correct. British settlers in America brought the word fall with them while the natives preferred using autumn for the period between summers and winters in the US. There are many who feel that autumn and fall are just synonyms and stand for the same season just as we refer to 12 PM as noon. It is just a coincidence that autumn is an American word while fall is the name of the same season in England. Autumn comes from the French word autompne. The word got changed into autumn and by the 14th century, Autumn was the name widely accepted as the season between summers and winters in Americas.

Fall

If we look into the origin of the word fall used for the season between summers and winters, we find that it comes from an English expression ‘fall of the leaf’ that literally meant leaves falling from deciduous trees in a particular season between summer and winter. Before the use of the word fall for the season, it was labeled as harvest because of harvesting that takes at this time of the year. However, gradually cities grew and took over villages and city dwellers coined the term fall that reflected the importance of cities in England. With fall becoming a name for the season, harvest was relegated back as a mere agricultural event.

Funnily, Australians use the term autumn and never fall for the same season even though they too had a close relation with the British. This may be because of the fact that most Australian trees are not deciduous and fall of the leaves does not take place as in Britain.

 

What is the difference between Autumn and Fall?

• Autumn and Fall are names for the same season between summers and winters and one can use either of the two without being incorrect.

• Autumn is purely American while fall is a British word for the season that reflects fall of leaves in England.

• Before fall, it was called harvest in England which later got relegated as a mere agricultural term.

 

Related posts:

Difference Between Winter and Autumn Difference Between Rocks and StonesDifference Between Rocks and Stones Difference Between Snow and IceDifference Between Snow and Ice Difference Between Winter and SpringDifference Between Winter and Spring Difference Between Fraud and Misrepresentation

Filed Under: Earth, Words Tagged With: autompne, Autumn, fall, harvest, seasons, summer, winter

About the Author: Olivia

Olivia is a Graduate in Electronic Engineering with HR, Training & Development background and has over 15 years of field experience.

Comments

  1. Matt says

    October 14, 2012 at 7:41 am

    Perhaps the writer of this article is neither American nor British, because they should know that in the present day, in North America they call the season “Fall” and in Britain they call it “Autumn”.

    Reply
    • Vor says

      October 19, 2015 at 5:53 pm

      As an Australian living in the US, I can confirm the writer is confused. I’ve never heard a brit say “fall” and I’ve never heard an American say “autumn.”

      Reply
  2. Deborah O'Connely says

    November 27, 2012 at 5:14 am

    What?? our whole lives we’ve been taught, that Fall is strictly an American word, and Autumn is strictly British!! that’s very confusing!

    Reply
  3. The Scoop! says

    March 21, 2016 at 6:28 am

    14th Century?!!! That would make it the 1300’s. The Pilgrims didn’t land on Plymouth Rock until the 17th Century…the 1600’s!!! Gee people are ignorant these days.

    Reply
  4. Jay says

    August 3, 2017 at 12:47 pm

    Autumn isn’t an American word at all. You’re right about when it was introduced to English but that includes British English too. The British use autumn almost without execution. Australians predominate towards it to.

    Reply
  5. craig baker says

    October 13, 2021 at 11:34 pm

    fall is eaze to spell and we say fall back 1 hr not autumn back 1 hr

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Request Article

Featured Posts

Difference Between Coronavirus and Cold Symptoms

Difference Between Coronavirus and Cold Symptoms

Difference Between Coronavirus and SARS

Difference Between Coronavirus and SARS

Difference Between Coronavirus and Influenza

Difference Between Coronavirus and Influenza

Difference Between Coronavirus and Covid 19

Difference Between Coronavirus and Covid 19

You May Like

Difference Between OAU and AU

Difference Between Male and Female Gametes

Difference Between Male and Female Gametes

Difference Between IMC and Promotional Mix

Difference Between IMC and Promotional Mix

Difference Between Electromagnetic Induction and Magnetic Induction

Difference Between Hibernate and Sleep

Latest Posts

  • What is the Difference Between Classroom Management and Discipline
  • What is the Difference Between Diatomaceous Earth and Bentonite Clay
  • What is the Difference Between Calbindin Calretinin and Calmodulin
  • What is the Difference Between Erythropoietin Alpha and Beta
  • What is the Difference Between Algaecide and Clarifier
  • What is the Difference Between Isoprenoid and Steroid
  • Home
  • Vacancies
  • About
  • Request Article
  • Contact Us

Copyright © 2010-2018 Difference Between. All rights reserved. Terms of Use and Privacy Policy: Legal.