plunge
14 synonyms and 2 antonyms for plunge, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To jump or dive suddenly into water or another substance.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. verb
To jump or dive suddenly into water or another substance.
“He plunged into the lake to cool off.”
2. verb
To fall or drop suddenly and steeply.
“Temperatures plunged below freezing overnight.”
Opposites
How to use plunge
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
take the plunge
plunge into darkness
prices plunge
Etymology
From Old French "plongier", ultimately from Latin "plumbum" (lead) — related to the idea of dropping a lead-weighted line.
Full origin of plunge →Frequently asked questions
What does “plunge” mean?
The word “plunge” means to jump or dive suddenly into water or another substance. In plain terms, to dive or drop suddenly, or (as a noun) a sudden dive, drop, or bold decision.
How do you pronounce “plunge”?
“Plunge” is pronounced pluhnj (/plʌnd͡ʒ/ in IPA).
How do you use “plunge” in a sentence?
Here is “plunge” used in a sentence: “He plunged into the lake to cool off.”
What part of speech is “plunge”?
Depending on how it is used, “plunge” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “plunge” come from?
The word “plunge” comes from Latin. From Old French "plongier", ultimately from Latin "plumbum" (lead) — related to the idea of dropping a lead-weighted line.
Is “plunge” a common word?
“Plunge” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the C1 level.
How many meanings does “plunge” have?
“Plunge” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to jump or dive suddenly into water or another substance.
