plunge
Americanverb (used with object)
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to cast or thrust forcibly or suddenly into something, as a liquid, a penetrable substance, a place, etc.; immerse; submerge.
to plunge a dagger into one's heart.
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to bring suddenly or forcibly into some condition, situation, etc..
to plunge a country into war; to pull a switch and plunge a house into darkness.
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Horticulture. to place (a potted plant) up to its rim in soil or in certain other materials, as sand or moss.
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Surveying. to transit (the telescope of a transit or theodolite).
verb (used without object)
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to cast oneself, or fall as if cast, into water, a hole, etc.
- Synonyms:
- dive
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to rush or dash with headlong haste.
to plunge through a crowd.
- Synonyms:
- hasten
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to bet or speculate recklessly.
to plunge on the stock market.
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to throw oneself impetuously or abruptly into some condition, situation, matter, etc..
to plunge into debt.
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to descend abruptly or precipitously, as a cliff, road, etc.
- Synonyms:
- drop
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to pitch violently forward, as a horse, ship, etc.
noun
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act of plunging.
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a leap or dive, as into water.
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a headlong or impetuous rush or dash.
a plunge into danger.
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a sudden, violent pitching movement.
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a place for plunging or diving, as a swimming pool.
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Geology. pitch.
idioms
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take the plunge, to enter with sudden decision upon an unfamiliar course of action, as after hesitation or deliberation.
She took the plunge and invested her entire savings in the plan.
verb
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(usually foll by into) to thrust or throw (something, oneself, etc)
they plunged into the sea
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to throw or be thrown into a certain state or condition
the room was plunged into darkness
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(usually foll by into) to involve or become involved deeply (in)
he plunged himself into a course of Sanskrit
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(intr) to move or dash violently or with great speed or impetuosity
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(intr) to descend very suddenly or steeply
the ship plunged in heavy seas
a plunging neckline
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informal (intr) to speculate or gamble recklessly, for high stakes, etc
noun
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a leap or dive as into water
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informal a swim; dip
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a place where one can swim or dive, such as a swimming pool
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a headlong rush
a plunge for the exit
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a pitching or tossing motion
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informal
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to resolve to do something dangerous or irrevocable
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to get married
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Related Words
See dip 1.
Other Word Forms
- replunge verb
- unplunged adjective
Etymology
Origin of plunge
1325–75; Middle English < Middle French plung ( i ) er ≪ Vulgar Latin *plumbicāre to heave the lead. See plumb
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Cold weather payments have been triggered across 451 postcodes in England, Wales and Northern Ireland as temperatures plunged across the UK.
From BBC
Maybe this can be a fluke one-year plunge to the bottom and the climb back up can begin, aided by coaches who recognize their job is to teach lessons in basketball, life and college preparation.
From Los Angeles Times
Clear skies on Saturday night brought plunging temperatures as England and Wales registered their coldest night of winter so far.
From BBC
At the same time, he said, the hiring rate has "plunged like a hot knife though butter."
From MarketWatch
Then, when demand slowed, customers would end up overstocked, prices would plunge, and memory makers would fall on hard times.
From Barron's
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.