nosedive

noun

nose·​dive ˈnōz-ˌdīv How to pronounce nosedive (audio)
Synonyms of nosedivenext
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

Examples of nosedive in a Sentence

The plane went into a nosedive. The stock market took a nosedive.
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.
The sudden vacuum of hits from distance paying off, and consequent sudden drop in xG overperformance, coincided with the nosedive in the team’s form, resulting in three wins in the next 10 matches across all competitions. Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 25 Mar. 2026 Although Wijk kept releasing music, including the mixtape Folktales in 2022, his fortunes took a nosedive. Sam Davies, Rolling Stone, 25 Mar. 2026 Relations between Hungary and fellow EU members, strained since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, took a nosedive this month after Orbán backtracked on an agreement to provide Kyiv with a 90-billion euro ($104 billion) loan. ABC News, 23 Mar. 2026 Head coach Joe Mazzulla blamed the Celtics’ fourth-quarter nosedive on the Wolves’ physicality, which his team failed to match. Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 23 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for nosedive

Word History

First Known Use

1912, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of nosedive was in 1912

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Nosedive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nosedive. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.

Kids Definition

nosedive

1 of 2 noun
nose·​dive ˈnōz-ˌdīv How to pronounce nosedive (audio)
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

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