plonk

1 of 2

verb

ˈpläŋk 

ˈplȯŋk

variant of plunk

transitive verb

1

: to pluck or hit so as to produce a quick, hollow, metallic, or harsh sound

2

: to set down suddenly : plump

intransitive verb

1

: to make a plunking sound

2

: to drop abruptly : dive

3

: to come out in favor of someone or something : plump

—used with for

plonk

2 of 2

noun

ˈpläŋk 

ˈplȯŋk

chiefly British

: cheap or inferior wine

Examples of plonk in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Netflix’s bracingly nasty action-thriller Apex is a fine addition, plonking the star down in a rugged Australian landscape and throwing nature’s formidable might at her while stirring a psychotic serial killer into the mix. — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 23 Apr. 2026

View gallery - 8 images Vinyl records have been finding more and more new ears in recent years, and Mixx Audio has a novel turntable to help keep the groove moving – one that also rocks a CD player plonked right in the middle of the platter, as well as flexible connectivity. — New Atlas, 6 Mar. 2026

Noun

Pauline is extraordinarily tolerant of Garance’s drinking, which escalates under lockdown to two boxes of cheap plonk a night. — Damon Wise, Deadline, 18 May 2026

Many wine drinkers’ lone reference point for Beaujolais is the barely drinkable plonk that arrives on our shores around Thanksgiving every year. — Jeremy Repanich, Robb Report, 12 May 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

short for earlier plink-plonk, perhaps modification of French vin blanc white wine

First Known Use

Noun

1933, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing plonk

• plonk down

Kids Definition

plonk

variant of plunk