plonk

1 of 2

verb

ˈpläŋk 

ˈplȯŋk

variant of plunk

transitive verb

1

: to pluck or hit so as to produce a quick, hollow, metallic, or harsh sound

2

: to set down suddenly : plump

intransitive verb

1

: to make a plunking sound

2

: to drop abruptly : dive

3

: to come out in favor of someone or something : plump

—used with for

plonk

2 of 2

noun

ˈpläŋk 

ˈplȯŋk

chiefly British

: cheap or inferior wine

Examples of plonk in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

There are clusters of gravestones, an odd one plonked in the middle of a paddy. — Michelle Jana Chan, Condé Nast Traveler, 14 Feb. 2023

Bernardo Silva scurrying to retrieve the ball from the net after his 84th-minute equaliser and plonking it on the centre spot, ready to go again. — Oliver Kay, New York Times, 10 Feb. 2026

Noun

Many wine drinkers’ lone reference point for Beaujolais is the barely drinkable plonk that arrives on our shores around Thanksgiving every year. — Jeremy Repanich, Robb Report, 12 May 2024

Actual wine was a pretty basic plonk at first, unornamented by comments about bouquet or terroir, so cheap and so plentiful that it was often poured free with restaurant meals. — Patt Morrisoncolumnist, Los Angeles Times, 1 Nov. 2022

Word History

Etymology

Noun

short for earlier plink-plonk, perhaps modification of French vin blanc white wine

First Known Use

Noun

1933, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing plonk

• plonk down

Kids Definition

plonk

variant of plunk