plunge

1 of 2

verb

plunged; plunging

transitive verb

1
: to cause to penetrate or enter quickly and forcibly into something
plunged the dagger
2
: to cause to enter a state or course of action usually suddenly, unexpectedly, or violently
plunged the nation into economic depression

intransitive verb

1
: to thrust or cast oneself into or as if into water
2
a
: to become pitched or thrown headlong or violently forward and downward
also : to move oneself in such a manner
plunged off the embankment
b
: to act with reckless haste : enter suddenly or unexpectedly
plunges into project after project
c
: to bet or gamble heavily and recklessly
3
: to descend or dip suddenly
the stock's value plunged

plunge

2 of 2

noun

: an act or instance of plunging : dive
also : swim

see also take the plunge

Examples of plunge in a Sentence

Verb Her car plunged off a bridge. The stock market plunged yesterday. The President's approval rating has plunged to 20 percent. The moose population has plunged in recent years. The rocky cliffs plunge into the swirling rapids below. The road plunges down the mountain. Noun Amazingly, the cat survived its plunge from the building's roof. Market analysts predicted a price plunge. The store experienced a sharp plunge in sales.
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
Prices are still plunging The Chinese government’s efforts to encourage births has also failed. Nectar Gan, CNN, 30 Sep. 2024 The singer posted to Instagram on Saturday sharing her party look — a plunging Gucci gown covered in gold sequins. Hannah Malach, WWD, 29 Sep. 2024
Noun
The living room and dining area were cozy and facing the water, while the rooftop alone included a private plunge pool, fire pit, outdoor shower, grill, kitchen area, and an incredible beach view. Taylor McIntyre, Travel + Leisure, 30 Sep. 2024 There are inverter air conditioning units and WiFi in all residential tents plus plunge pools and a retractable roof in the bedrooms, allowing guests to have an in house star bed to star gaze, bringing them even closer to their environment. Laurie Werner, Forbes, 28 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for plunge 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'plunge.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English, from Anglo-French plunger, from Vulgar Latin *plumbicare, from Latin plumbum lead

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of plunge was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near plunge

Cite this Entry

“Plunge.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/plunge. Accessed 8 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

plunge

1 of 2 verb
plunged; plunging
1
: to push or drive into something with force
plunged a knife into the pie
2
: to leap or dive into water
3
a
: to rush with reckless haste
plunged into debt
b
: to bring into an unpleasant state
plunged the family into gloom
4
: to dip or move suddenly downward or forward and downward
the road plunges along the slope

plunge

2 of 2 noun
: a sudden dive, leap, or rush

More from Merriam-Webster on plunge

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