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.
Auburn’s offense has taken a nosedive since starting SEC play. Maddie Hartley, Kansas City Star, 15 Oct. 2025 After being brought in as an offensive mastermind and quarterback whisperer who could shepherd the Titans into a more offensive, pass-first era, the Titans' offense took a nosedive in 2024 under quarterback Will Levis, and somehow got worse to start 2025 behind No. 1 pick Cam Ward. Nashville Tennessean, 14 Oct. 2025 The peso entered a nosedive that threatened to send inflation soaring back up – right before an even bigger electoral test, with midterms now two weeks away. Jason Ma, Fortune, 12 Oct. 2025 As much as last year’s captains helped Notre Dame pull out of the nosedive after Northern Illinois, this year’s turnaround feels more led by Freeman’s fist. Pete Sampson, New York Times, 8 Oct. 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 23 Oct. 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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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