noun
lunge
luhnj
Lunge (noun) means a sudden forward movement, such as an attack with a sword or an attempt to grab something. Example: “He made a lunge for the ball but missed it by inches.”
noun
1
A sudden forward movement, such as an attack with a sword or an attempt to grab something.
"He made a lunge for the ball but missed it by inches."
2
An exercise in which you step forward with one leg and bend both knees before standing back up.
"She added twenty lunges to her morning workout."
verb
1
To move suddenly and forcefully forward.
"The dog lunged at the mail carrier through the gate."
"He lunged forward to catch the falling vase."
How to use lunge
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA sudden forward movement or attack, or the leg exercise of the same name.
Common pairings
lunge forward
make a lunge
do lunges
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Word forms
- Plural
- lunges
- Third person singular
- lunges, lungeing
- Past tense
- lunged
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He made a _____ for the ball but missed it by inches.
Etymology
From French allonge ("a lengthening, an extension"), ultimately from Latin longus ("long") — the same root that gives us "elongate."
Related words
Rhymes for lunge
See all rhymes for lunge →Frequently asked questions
What does “lunge” mean?
The word “lunge” means a sudden forward movement, such as an attack with a sword or an attempt to grab something. In plain terms, a sudden forward movement or attack, or the leg exercise of the same name.
How do you pronounce “lunge”?
“Lunge” is pronounced luhnj (/lʌnd͡ʒ/ in IPA).
How do you use “lunge” in a sentence?
Here is “lunge” used in a sentence: “He made a lunge for the ball but missed it by inches.”
What part of speech is “lunge”?
Depending on how it is used, “lunge” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “lunge” come from?
The word “lunge” comes from Latin. From French allonge ("a lengthening, an extension"), ultimately from Latin longus ("long") — the same root that gives us "elongate.".
How many meanings does “lunge” have?
“Lunge” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a sudden forward movement, such as an attack with a sword or an attempt to grab something.
