dive

1 of 2

verb

ˈdīv 

dived ˈdīvd  or dove ˈdōv  ; dived also dove; diving

intransitive verb

1

a

: to plunge into water intentionally and especially headfirst

dived from the boat

specifically, sports : to dive in a prescribed manner : execute a dive (see dive entry 2 sense 1a(1))

diving from the highest platform

b

: submerge

The submarine dived.

2

a

: to come or drop down precipitously : plunge

The temperature is diving.

b

: to plunge one's hand into something

dived into his pocket

c

of an airplane : to descend in a dive

3

a

: to plunge into some matter or activity

She dove into her studies.

b

: to plunge or dash for some place

diving for cover

also : to lunge especially in order to seize something

dove for the ball

transitive verb

1

: to thrust into something

diving one's hands into the icy water

2

: to cause to dive

dive a submarine

Dived vs. Dove: Usage Guide

The original past tense of dive is dived; dove developed as an alternate form in the 1800s, probably by analogy with forms like drive and drove. Dove is now more common in English as spoken in North America,

so we dove right in

while dived remains the preferred form elsewhere. As for the past participle form, dived is more common everywhere.

We're not hesitating; we have dived right in.

dive

2 of 2

noun

1

: the act or an instance of diving: such as

a(1)

: a plunge into water executed in a prescribed manner

practicing her dives

(2)

nautical : a submerging of a submarine

(3)

aviation : a steep descent of an airplane at greater than the maximum speed of horizontal flight

b

: a sharp decline

Stocks took a dive.

2

: a shabby and disreputable establishment (such as a bar or nightclub)

3

combat sports : a faked knockout

—usually used in the phrase take a dive

a boxer accused of taking a dive

4

American football : an offensive (see offensive entry 1 sense 1c) play in which the ballcarrier plunges into the line (see line entry 1 sense 7f(2)) for short yardage

Synonyms of dive

Verb

• plunge

Noun

• plunge

Examples of dive in a Sentence

Verb

She dove into the swimming pool.

The children like to dive off the boat.

The competitors will be diving from the highest platform.

Many people enjoy diving on the island's coral reefs.

You can't dive in this water without a wet suit.

The submarine can dive to 3,000 feet.

The whale dove down to deeper water.

Noun

She practiced her dives for the competition.

This will be my first dive on a coral reef.

She has done dives all around the world.

The crew of the submarine prepared for a dive.

The jet rolled into a dive.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Chenoweth dives into the humanity behind the caricature, capturing the contradictions that made Jackie a pop-culture sensation — her relentless drive, her humor and her stubborn belief in a fantasy even as the walls around her crumble. —Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 24 Nov. 2025

Bove worked with Sweeney to dive deeper into analytics. —Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 24 Nov. 2025

Noun

Pon Pon, a European-style dive bar in RiNo, has its own set of turntables where DJs spin dance and rock records on the weekends; its owners are planning a second bar with a higher-quality sound system near the Ogden Theatre on East Colfax Avenue. —Miguel Otárola, Denver Post, 24 Nov. 2025

Inside, the vibe is more dive bar than Bellagio. —Adam Iscoe, New Yorker, 24 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English diven, duven, from Old English dȳfan to dip & dūfan to dive; akin to Old English dyppan to dip — more at dip

Noun

derivative of dive entry 1

First Known Use

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1a

Noun

1700, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing dive

• back dive
• crash dive
• deep dive
• dive-bomb
• dive for
• dive (right) in
• dive (right) in/into (something)
• free dive
• front dive
• made a dive for cover
• make a dive for
• power dive
• pre-dive
• skin-dive
• swan dive
• take a dive

Rhymes for dive

• drive
• five
• hive
• jive
• live
• strive
• thrive
• alive
• archive
• arrive
• beehive
• connive

Kids Definition

dive

1 of 2 verb

ˈdīv 

dived ˈdīvd  or dove ˈdōv  ; diving

1

a

: to plunge into water headfirst

b

: submerge sense 1

2

a

: to fall fast

the temperature dived at night

b

: to descend in an airplane at a very steep angle

3

a

: to plunge into some matter or activity

b

: to thrust oneself forward suddenly : lunge

dived for cover

diver noun

dive

2 of 2 noun

1

: the act or an instance of diving: as

a

: a plunge into water done in a specified manner

b

: a steep downward movement of a submarine or an airplane

c

: a sharp drop (as in prices)

2

: a shabby place (as a bar)

3

: a faked knockout in boxing