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
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.
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
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
Johnny C. Taylor Jr, USA Today, 11 Nov. 2025
To figure out exactly what dishes are on everyone’s mind this Thanksgiving, Instacart dived into its data from 2024 to find out which Thanksgiving staples are most popular (and where).
—Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Nov. 2025
Mark Phelan, USA Today, 10 Nov. 2025
Between 1987 and 2024, missions typically lasted two to six weeks and included around 20 dives.
—Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dive
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Verb
Employees who dive into controversial topics and engage in risky behavior online are playing with fire ‒ and need to carefully and proactively consider the bigger picture.
—Johnny C. Taylor Jr, USA Today, 11 Nov. 2025
To figure out exactly what dishes are on everyone’s mind this Thanksgiving, Instacart dived into its data from 2024 to find out which Thanksgiving staples are most popular (and where).
—Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Nov. 2025
Noun
The suspension kept the car stable and planted in sharp maneuvers, with little body roll, squat or dive.
—Mark Phelan, USA Today, 10 Nov. 2025
Between 1987 and 2024, missions typically lasted two to six weeks and included around 20 dives.
—Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dive
Cite this Entry
“Dive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dive. Accessed 17 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
dive
1 of 2 verb1
a
: to plunge into water headfirst
b
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 noun1
: 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
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