nosedive

[ nohz-dahyv ]

/ ˈnoʊzˌdaɪv /

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noun Also nose dive .

a plunge of an aircraft with the forward part pointing downward.

a sudden sharp drop or rapid decline: a time when market values were in a nosedive.

verb (used without object), nose·dived or nose·dove, nose·dived, nose·div·ing.Also nose-dive .

to go into a nosedive: a warning that prices might nosedive.

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Origin of nosedive

First recorded in 1910–15; nose + dive

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use nosedive in a sentence

I will turn my nose up when you offer me the rest of some delicious pastry that you nibbled on.
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They should have pointed the nose of the Airbus down and applied more power.
Flight 8501 Poses Question: Are Modern Jets Too Automated to Fly?|Clive Irving|January 4, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Not even after its parent company, the Soviet Union, took a dive in 1991.
Obama’s One Hand Clap With Castro|Doug McIntyre|December 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
A spandex mask stretched over his face, covering his eyes and nose.
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The struggle continues and Chan is punched, suffering a broken nose.
Protesters Slimed This Good Samaritan Cop|Michael Daly|December 16, 2014|DAILY BEAST
His nose was hooked and rather large, his eyes were blue, bright as steel, and set a trifle wide.
St. Martin's Summer|Rafael Sabatini
Sympathising with its desires, Benjy changed his posture, and managed just to touch the nose of his enemy.
The Giant of the North|R.M. Ballantyne
He walked first to one side, and then the other, rooting in the dirt with his funny, rubbery nose.
Squinty the Comical Pig|Richard Barnum
He shut his fist and hit Butterface a weak but well intended right-hander on the nose.
The Giant of the North|R.M. Ballantyne
The girl began to hum, as she powdered her nose with a white glove, lying in a powder box.
Rosemary in Search of a Father|C. N. Williamson

British Dictionary definitions for nosedive

nose dive

noun

a sudden plunge with the nose or front pointing downwards, esp of an aircraft

informal a sudden drop or sharp declineprices took a nose dive

verb nose-dive

to perform or cause to perform a nose dive

(intr) informal to drop suddenly

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

nosedive

Origin of nosedive

Words related to nosedive

How to use nosedive in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for nosedive