variants or
ˈpläŋk How to pronounce plunk (audio)
ˈplȯŋk
plunked or plonked; plunking or plonking; plunks or plonks

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
plunk noun
plunker noun

Examples of plunk in a Sentence

You've been plunking that banjo all afternoon! She plunked out a little tune on the piano. plunking away on a guitar The pitcher plunked the first two batters of the game. She plunked a mug of coffee on the counter.
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.
With the bases loaded, Will Smith got plunked by former Dodgers reliever Shelby Miller to force home the tying score. Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 21 May 2025 In the 1960s, a concrete rink-and-pool combo got plunked into the northwest corner of Central Park. Justin Davidson, Curbed, 28 Apr. 2025 Lindor and Soto drew back-to-back walks, and Arizona turned to side-winding right-hander Ryan Thompson, who plunked Alonso to load the bases with no outs. Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 1 May 2025 The meltdown began when lefty reliever Luis Peralta plunked Jonathan Aranda, and Taylor Walls laced a single to left. Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 30 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for plunk

Word History

Etymology

imitative

First Known Use

1808, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of plunk was in 1808

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Plunk.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/plunk. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

plunk

verb
variants or plonk
ˈpläŋk How to pronounce plunk (audio)
ˈplȯŋk
1
: to make or cause to make a hollow, metallic, or harsh sound
plunk the strings of a banjo
2
: to drop or set down suddenly
plunk a suitcase on the bench
plunk noun
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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