dive

1 of 2

verb

dived ˈdīvd How to pronounce dive (audio) or dove ˈdōv How to pronounce dive (audio) ; dived also dove; diving

intransitive verb

1
a
: to plunge into water intentionally and especially headfirst
also : to execute a dive (see dive entry 2 sense 1a(1))
diving into the pool 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

Dive, which was originally a weak verb, developed a past tense dove, probably by analogy with verbs like drive, drove. Dove exists in some British dialects and has become the standard past tense especially in speech in some parts of Canada. In the U.S. dived and dove are both widespread in speech as past tense and past participle, with dove less common than dived in the south Midland area, and dived less common than dove in the Northern and north Midland areas. In writing, the past tense dived is usual in British English and somewhat more common in American English. Dove seems relatively rare as a past participle in writing.

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
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
Verb
Express your willingness to dive deeper into your qualifications and clarify any points that may have been overlooked. Gina Riley, Forbes, 3 Oct. 2024 Vitals will allow members to dive deeper into metrics and scores, while the My Health tab will focus on longer-term trends. Victoria Song, The Verge, 3 Oct. 2024
Noun
Sensor data from trackers on seals captured and released in Antarctica showed their movements, the depth of the dives, salinity, temperature and density of the sea, among others. Andrew Wight, Forbes, 8 Oct. 2024 The specialist dive and hydrographic vessel lost power and ran aground on Saturday evening while conducting a reef survey one nautical mile off the southern coast of the Samoan island of Upolu, according to New Zealand authorities. Isaac Yee, CNN, 7 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for dive 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'dive.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of dive was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near dive

Cite this Entry

“Dive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dive. Accessed 14 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

dive

1 of 2 verb
dived ˈdīvd How to pronounce dive (audio) or dove ˈdōv How to pronounce dive (audio) ; diving
1
a
: to plunge into water headfirst
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

More from Merriam-Webster on dive

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