immerse

verb

im·​merse i-ˈmərs 

immersed; immersing

transitive verb

1

: to plunge into something that surrounds or covers

especially : to plunge or dip into a fluid

2

: engross, absorb

completely immersed in his work

3

: to baptize by immersion

Synonyms

• absorb
• bemuse
• busy
• catch up
• engage
• engross
• enthrall
• enthral
• enwrap
• fascinate
• grip
• interest
• intrigue
• involve
• occupy

Examples of immerse in a Sentence

Immerse the fabric completely in the dye.

She had immersed herself in writing short stories.

He immersed himself in the culture of the island.

Recent Examples on the Web

To offer a glimpse into the past, the benefit featured aged images, contact sheets, and pamphlets from the archives, allowing attendees to immerse themselves in the early stages of DanceAfrica and the world of Mikki Sheppard. —Vogue, 3 May 2024

Vacation homes and glamping sites with deluxe tents (open mid-May through mid-October) are the ideal home base for families who want to be immersed in nature without sacrificing creature comforts. —Lindsay Cohn, Travel + Leisure, 2 May 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin immersus, past participle of immergere, from in- + mergere to merge

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

immerse

verb

im·​merse im-ˈərs 

immersed; immersing

1

: to plunge into something (as a fluid) that surrounds or covers

2

: to become completely involved in

immersed in a good book

immersion

-ˈər-zhən

-shən

noun