nosedive

noun

nose·​dive ˈnōz-ˌdīv How to pronounce nosedive (audio)
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.
That nosedive reflects investor concerns about how steep tariffs on China, Taiwan, Vietnam and other manufacturing hubs could impact technology companies, analysts said. Alain Sherter, CBS News, 3 Apr. 2025 Most of the goals drop-off comes from a nosedive in finishing — the Jets have created more chances from prime real estate since the 4 Nations break than almost any other team. Murat Ates, The Athletic, 25 Mar. 2025 The hotel was sold last year for $10.6 million, a value that took a nosedive in recent years amid the local hospitality industry’s decline. Shomik Mukherjee, Mercury News, 12 July 2025 That action, which prompted a nosedive in Asia-to-U.S. trade in May, was largely viewed as a precursor to more expansive regulatory action against de minimis. Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 3 July 2025 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 20 Aug. 2025.

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

More from Merriam-Webster on nosedive

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