plunge
pluhnj
Plunge (verb) means to jump or dive suddenly into water or another substance. Example: “He plunged into the lake to cool off.”
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
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Word forms
- Plural
- plunges
- Third person singular
- plunges
- Past tense
- plunged
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
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.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for plunge
See all rhymes for 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.
