immerse

verb

im·​merse i-ˈmərs 

immersed; immersing

transitive verb

1

: to plunge into something that surrounds or covers

especially : to plunge or dip into a fluid

Immerse the fabric completely.

2

: engross, absorb

completely immersed in his work

3

: to baptize by immersion

Synonyms of immerse

• interest
• intrigue
• occupy
• fascinate
• involve
• attract
• engross
• engage
• busy

Examples of immerse in a Sentence

Immerse the fabric completely in the dye.

She had immersed herself in writing short stories.

He immersed himself in the culture of the island.

Recent Examples on the Web

The team also immersed the material in natural seawater from Melbourne’s Port Phillip Bay for two weeks. — New Atlas, 20 Sep. 2026

An album this immersed in relatively straightforward love songs could use this moment of awkward verbal snogging. — Chris Willman, Variety, 19 Sep. 2026

Bringing the two together gives fans from New York and around the world an entirely new way to immerse themselves in the Elf story. — Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 17 Sep. 2026

Designed to immerse young storytellers in the craft of documentary filmmaking, the program features guidance from award-winning filmmakers and top industry professionals. — Matthew Carey, Deadline, 17 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin immersus, past participle of immergere, from in- + mergere to merge

First Known Use

1605, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for immerse

• adverse
• averse
• coerce
• disburse
• disperse
• diverse
• inverse
• obverse
• perverse
• rehearse
• reverse
• transverse

Kids Definition

immerse

verb

im·​merse im-ˈərs 

immersed; immersing

1

: to plunge into something (as a fluid) that surrounds or covers

2

: to become completely involved in

immersed in a good book

immersion

-ˈər-zhən, 

-shən

noun