immerse

verb

im·​merse i-ˈmərs How to pronounce immerse (audio)
immersed; immersing
Synonyms of immerse

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

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Named for the Uto-Aztecan word for green, the property immerses guests in nature and local culture at every turn, appearing to all but dissolve into the emerald jungle and volcanic cliffs of the Sierra Madre. Todd Plummer, Robb Report, 19 June 2026 The real-time 15-hour format immerses viewers in painful realities, reflecting authentic experiences from healthcare workers and patients. Mark Hughes, Forbes.com, 19 June 2026 William and Catherine love the fact that George won’t be too far from home but can also be a boarder and fully immerse himself in school life. Katie Nicholl, Vanity Fair, 18 June 2026 As the ship sails the Antarctic Peninsula, passengers go on excursions, such as taking a Zodiac or kayaking, to view wildlife and immerse themselves in nature. Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 16 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for immerse

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of immerse was in 1605

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Immerse.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/immerse. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.

Kids Definition

immerse

verb
im·​merse im-ˈərs How to pronounce immerse (audio)
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

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