verb
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plummet
PLUH-miht
Plummet (verb) means to fall suddenly and steeply. Example: “Shares in the company plummeted after the scandal broke.”
verb
1
To fall suddenly and steeply.
"Shares in the company plummeted after the scandal broke."
"The temperature plummeted overnight."
noun
1
A sudden, steep drop or decline.
"The plummet in sales alarmed investors."
How to use plummet
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo drop suddenly and sharply, used for prices, temperatures, morale, and similar things.
Common pairings
plummet in value
prices plummet
confidence plummeted
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Word forms
- Plural
- plummets
- Third person singular
- plummets
- Past tense
- plummeted, plummetted
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Shares in the company _____ after the scandal broke.
Etymology
From Old French "plommet", a small ball of lead used on a measuring line; the verb sense of "falling swiftly" developed centuries later from the noun.
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “plummet” mean?
The word “plummet” means to fall suddenly and steeply. In plain terms, to drop suddenly and sharply, used for prices, temperatures, morale, and similar things.
How do you pronounce “plummet”?
“Plummet” is pronounced PLUH-miht (/ˈplʌmət/ in IPA).
How do you use “plummet” in a sentence?
Here is “plummet” used in a sentence: “Shares in the company plummeted after the scandal broke.”
What is the opposite of “plummet”?
The opposite of “plummet” — its antonyms — are ascend, rise, rocket, soar and skyrocket.
What part of speech is “plummet”?
Depending on how it is used, “plummet” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “plummet” come from?
The word “plummet” comes from Old French. From Old French "plommet", a small ball of lead used on a measuring line; the verb sense of "falling swiftly" developed centuries later from the noun.
How many meanings does “plummet” have?
“Plummet” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to fall suddenly and steeply.
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