noun
plumb
pluhm
Plumb (noun) means a weight on a line used to check that something is perfectly vertical. Example: “The builder checked the wall with a plumb line.”
noun
1
A weight on a line used to check that something is perfectly vertical.
"The builder checked the wall with a plumb line."
adj
1
Exactly vertical.
"Make sure the fence post is plumb before you set the concrete."
adv
1
Exactly or completely.
"The arrow landed plumb in the centre of the target."
verb
1
To explore or think about something thoroughly, trying to fully understand it.
"The documentary plumbs the depths of his troubled childhood."
2
To connect something to a water supply and drainage system.
"They plumbed in a new washing machine."
How to use plumb
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishExactly vertical, or to explore something deeply, or to connect to water pipes.
Common mistake
Don't confuse with "plum" the fruit — they sound alike but are unrelated.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
plumb line
plumb the depths
plumb in
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Word forms
- Plural
- plumbs
- Third person singular
- plumbs
- Past tense
- plumbed
- Comparative
- more plumb
- Superlative
- most plumb
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The builder checked the wall with a _____ line.
Etymology
From Old French, ultimately from Latin "plumbum" meaning lead — the metal traditionally used to weight the vertical measuring line.
Related words
Rhymes for plumb
See all rhymes for plumb →Frequently asked questions
What does “plumb” mean?
The word “plumb” means a weight on a line used to check that something is perfectly vertical. In plain terms, exactly vertical, or to explore something deeply, or to connect to water pipes.
How do you pronounce “plumb”?
“Plumb” is pronounced pluhm (/plʌm/ in IPA).
How do you use “plumb” in a sentence?
Here is “plumb” used in a sentence: “The builder checked the wall with a plumb line.”
What is another word for “plumb”?
Words with a similar meaning to “plumb” include plummet, plumb bob and plumb line.
What part of speech is “plumb”?
Depending on how it is used, “plumb” can be a noun, an adjective, an adverb and a verb.
Where does the word “plumb” come from?
The word “plumb” comes from Latin. From Old French, ultimately from Latin "plumbum" meaning lead — the metal traditionally used to weight the vertical measuring line.
How many meanings does “plumb” have?
“Plumb” has 5 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a weight on a line used to check that something is perfectly vertical.
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