verb
plunge
pluhnj
verb
1
To jump or dive suddenly into water or another substance.
"He plunged into the lake to cool off."
2
To fall or drop suddenly and steeply.
"Temperatures plunged below freezing overnight."
3
To suddenly enter into a difficult or extreme situation.
"The country plunged into recession within months."
noun
1
A sudden dive, jump, or drop.
"She took the plunge and quit her job to travel."
How to Use Plunge
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo dive or drop suddenly, or (as a noun) a sudden dive, drop, or bold decision.
Common pairings
take the plunge
plunge into darkness
prices plunge
Word Forms
plunged past tense, plunged past tense, plunges plural, plunges singular, plunges singular
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He _____ into the lake to cool off.
Etymology
From Old French "plongier", ultimately from Latin "plumbum" (lead) — related to the idea of dropping a lead-weighted line.