plunge

1 of 2

verb

ˈplənj 

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

Synonyms

Verb

• dive

Noun

• dive

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

Filmed on 16mm Kodak Ektachrome across a non-stop 45 day shoot, Petersen expands her exploration of mysticism and disappearance in southernmost Argentina – plunging head-first into a father-daughter relationship upended in the sleepy mountains of Tierra del Fuego. —Jason Liwag, Variety, 14 Aug. 2025

The eviction notice has plunged his future into uncertainty. —Max Klaver, Miami Herald, 14 Aug. 2025

Noun

The Retreat is available to all suite categories, including the cruise line's newest category, the Edge villa, which offers two-story luxury residences with one bedroom and two bathrooms and a plunge pool on its expansive terrace. —Michele Robson, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2025

Take the famous video of Mamdani doing a polar plunge on Coney Island. —Tyler Foggatt, New Yorker, 11 Aug. 2025

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

Phrases Containing plunge

• plunge in
• plunge into
• plunge into darkness
• plunge to one's death
• take the plunge

Rhymes for plunge

• lunge
• sponge
• expunge
• muskellunge

Kids Definition

plunge

1 of 2 verb

ˈplənj 

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