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

Hotel construction has plunged, a nosedive that was unleashed by stubborn problems for hotel financing and elevated construction costs, Atlas Hospitality Group reported recently. —George Avalos, Mercury News, 6 Feb. 2026

Some thought that Bitcoin’s nosedive couldn’t get any worse. —Carlos Garcia, Fortune, 5 Feb. 2026

The Chicago Bulls might be bracing for a nosedive. —Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 4 Feb. 2026

The loss also marks the first time in a decade that the Leafs have won just once in nine games, a 1-6-2 nosedive that has almost certainly killed their season. —James Mirtle, New York Times, 30 Jan. 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
• revive
• survive
• dive

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