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

plural dives

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, cheap, or disreputable establishment (such as a bar, restaurant, or nightclub)

… dives where customers could buy their evening supply of cheap beer, in buckets or pitchers.

—Kathleen Odean

The squatty, no-frills eatery, surrounded by parking lot, looks like a total dive. And frankly, it is.

—Mimi Brodeur

see also dive bar

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

The food scene here is also worth diving into. —Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 8 Mar. 2026

Ferree dove and batted Calheira’s shot away with his left hand. —Ryan Finley, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Mar. 2026

Noun

Ball & Chain on Calle Ocho now offers a more polished experience, but its origins trace to The Copa, a well‑known dive bar decades ago. —Abby Dodge, Miami Herald, 6 Mar. 2026

Jerry Boylan, who was sentenced to four years in federal prison for his role in the 2019 fatal fire on the Conception dive boat off the Channel Islands in California, had his manslaughter conviction upheld. —Arkansas Online, 5 Mar. 2026

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 bar
• 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