plunge

1 of 2

verb

ˈplənj 

plunged; plunging

transitive verb

1

: to cause to penetrate or enter quickly and forcibly into something

plunged the dagger

2

: to cause to enter a state or course of action usually suddenly, unexpectedly, or violently

plunged the nation into economic depression

intransitive verb

1

: to thrust or cast oneself into or as if into water

2

a

: to become pitched or thrown headlong or violently forward and downward

also : to move oneself in such a manner

plunged off the embankment

b

: to act with reckless haste : enter suddenly or unexpectedly

plunges into project after project

c

: to bet or gamble heavily and recklessly

3

: to descend or dip suddenly

the stock's value plunged

plunge

2 of 2

noun

: an act or instance of plunging : dive

also : swim

see also:

take the plunge

Synonyms of plunge

Verb

• dive

Noun

• dive

Examples of plunge in a Sentence

Verb

Her car plunged off a bridge.

The stock market plunged yesterday.

The President's approval rating has plunged to 20 percent.

The moose population has plunged in recent years.

The rocky cliffs plunge into the swirling rapids below.

The road plunges down the mountain.

Noun

Amazingly, the cat survived its plunge from the building's roof.

Market analysts predicted a price plunge.

The store experienced a sharp plunge in sales.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Emily Ratajkowski wore a maroon velvet dress with a plunging neckline and side cutouts, while Alessandra Ambrosio wore a white corset gown that featured a sheer bottom exposing her legs. —Christina Dugan Ramirez, FOXNews.com, 16 Mar. 2026

The iconic fashion designer joined fellow revelers at the 2026 Vanity Fair Oscars after-party in a plunging slip dress that was made out of nothing but crystals and sheer mesh. —Lara Walsh, InStyle, 16 Mar. 2026

Noun

An oceanfront with a plunge pool would be my splurge. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 14 Mar. 2026

Kansas City will go from springlike warmth to winter fast as a powerful storm sweeps through Sunday, bringing damaging winds, a rapid temperature plunge with flash-freeze risk, and a quick burst of snow that could cut visibility, according to the National Weather Service. —Kansas City Star, 14 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English, from Anglo-French plunger, from Vulgar Latin *plumbicare, from Latin plumbum lead

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing plunge

• plunge in
• plunge into
• plunge into darkness
• plunge to one's death
• take the plunge

Rhymes for plunge

• lunge
• sponge
• expunge
• muskellunge

Kids Definition

plunge

1 of 2 verb

ˈplənj 

plunged; plunging

1

: to push or drive into something with force

plunged a knife into the pie

2

: to leap or dive into water

3

a

: to rush with reckless haste

plunged into debt

b

: to bring into an unpleasant state

plunged the family into gloom

4

: to dip or move suddenly downward or forward and downward

the road plunges along the slope

plunge

2 of 2 noun

: a sudden dive, leap, or rush