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 aircraft's two pilots reportedly fought over the controls as the plane went into a nosedive. —Abigail Adams, PEOPLE, 4 May 2026

During the pandemic, hospitality services took a nosedive as the world shut down, and Shikari had to make a practical pivot. —Lyssanoel Frater, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2026

After missing nine consecutive games with a right ankle contusion, antsy watching the Lakers’ season nosedive into a new reality, Smart appeared in the final two games of the regular season. —Benjamin Royer, Oc Register, 13 Apr. 2026

But with the regular season coming to a close, and an offseason promising a large payday for a man on a veteran minimum contract, Melton’s form has taken a nosedive. —Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 30 Mar. 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