plunge

[pluhnj]

verb (used with object)

plunged, plunging 

1. to cast or thrust forcibly or suddenly into something, as a liquid, a penetrable substance, a place, etc.; immerse; submerge.

   to plunge a dagger into one's heart.

2. to bring suddenly or forcibly into some condition, situation, etc..

   to plunge a country into war; to pull a switch and plunge a house into darkness.

3. Horticulture.,  to place (a potted plant) up to its rim in soil or in certain other materials, as sand or moss.

4. Surveying.,  to transit (the telescope of a transit or theodolite).

verb (used without object)

plunged, plunging 

1. to cast oneself, or fall as if cast, into water, a hole, etc.

   Synonyms: dive

2. to rush or dash with headlong haste.

   to plunge through a crowd.

   Synonyms: hasten

3. to bet or speculate recklessly.

   to plunge on the stock market.

4. to throw oneself impetuously or abruptly into some condition, situation, matter, etc..

   to plunge into debt.

5. to descend abruptly or precipitously, as a cliff, road, etc.

   Synonyms: drop

6. to pitch violently forward, as a horse, ship, etc.

noun

1. act of plunging.

2. a leap or dive, as into water.

3. a headlong or impetuous rush or dash.

   a plunge into danger.

4. a sudden, violent pitching movement.

5. a place for plunging or diving, as a swimming pool.

6. Geology.,  pitch.

plunge

/ plʌndʒ /

verb

1. (usually foll by into) to thrust or throw (something, oneself, etc)

   they plunged into the sea

2. to throw or be thrown into a certain state or condition

   the room was plunged into darkness

3. (usually foll by into) to involve or become involved deeply (in)

   he plunged himself into a course of Sanskrit

4. (intr) to move or dash violently or with great speed or impetuosity

5. (intr) to descend very suddenly or steeply

   the ship plunged in heavy seas

   a plunging neckline

6. informal,  (intr) to speculate or gamble recklessly, for high stakes, etc

noun

1. a leap or dive as into water

2. informal,  a swim; dip

3. a place where one can swim or dive, such as a swimming pool

4. a headlong rush

   a plunge for the exit

5. a pitching or tossing motion

6. informal

   1. to resolve to do something dangerous or irrevocable

   2. to get married

Other Word Forms

• replunge verb
• unplunged adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of plunge¹

1325–75; Middle English < Middle French plung ( i ) er ≪ Vulgar Latin *plumbicāre to heave the lead. See plumb

Word History and Origins

Origin of plunge¹

C14: from Old French plongier, from Vulgar Latin plumbicāre (unattested) to sound with a plummet, from Latin plumbum lead

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. take the plunge, to enter with sudden decision upon an unfamiliar course of action, as after hesitation or deliberation.

   She took the plunge and invested her entire savings in the plan.

see take the plunge.

Synonym Study

See dip ¹.

Example Sentences

He considered plunging into the race for governor, but the timing wasn’t right.

From Los Angeles Times

Burgess enjoyed spells in League One with Peterborough and Portsmouth, before taking the plunge with a move to Belgium in 2020.

From BBC

"I was ready to be plunged into the spell that was David Bowie," she writes in her book.

From BBC

Yoon was detained in January and is facing a separate trial over a failed martial law bid last year that plunged the country into chaos and led to his impeachment.

From BBC

The value of the peso has been plunging, while investors dump Argentine stocks and bonds.

From BBC

Related Words

• descend 
• dip 
• drive 
• drop 
• go down 
• hurtle 
• jump 
• nose-dive 
• plummet 
• sink 
• throw 
• tumble