nosedive

noun

nose·​dive ˈnōz-ˌdīv 

1

: a downward nose-first plunge of a flying object (such as an airplane)

2

: a sudden extreme drop

stock prices took a nosedive

nose-dive intransitive verb

Synonyms of nosedive

• drop
• dip
• decline
• plunge
• descent
• fall

Examples of nosedive in a Sentence

The plane went into a nosedive.

The stock market took a nosedive.

Recent Examples on the Web

The sticky wicket, which has been the stickiest for AI-tech megacaps, is investor angst around capital expenditures and a sluggish pace of return that could send the stock on a nosedive. — Amanda Gerut, Fortune, 5 Aug. 2026

And while the bullpen wasn’t great behind him, the Yankees scored two or fewer runs for the 16th time in 39 games since June 18 — the date their lineup really started taking a nosedive. — Ken Rosenthal, New York Times, 2 Aug. 2026

The purchase price represents a 44% value nosedive from the $291 million the seller, Alexandria Real Estate Equities, paid in 2019. — George Avalos, Mercury News, 16 July 2026

That’s how much of a blip on the radar what once seemed a terrifying nosedive off democracy’s cliff is today. — Greg Jackson, Time, 23 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1912, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for nosedive

• overdrive
• alive
• archive
• arrive
• beehive
• connive
• contrive
• deprive
• derive
• khedive
• revive
• survive

Kids Definition

nosedive

1 of 2 noun

nose·​dive ˈnōz-ˌdīv 

1

: a downward nose-first plunge (as of an airplane)

2

: a sudden extreme drop (as in prices)

nose-dive

2 of 2 verb

nose-dived; nose-diving

: to plunge suddenly or sharply