plunge

American  

[pluhnj] / plʌndʒ /

verb (used with object)

plunges, present (3rd person singular) plunged, past participle, past plunging present participle

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).

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verb (used without object)

plunges, present (3rd person singular) plunged, past participle, past plunging present participle

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

plunges plural

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.

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.

plunge British  

/ 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

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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

plunge More Idioms  

1. see take the plunge.

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Synonym Usage

See dip ¹.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• replunge
  verb
• unplunged
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• plunges
  plural

Participles

• plunging
  present
• plunged
  past

Conjugated Forms

Present

• plunge
  simple
• plunges
  simple
• have plunged
  perfect
• has plunged
  perfect
• am plunging
  progressive
• are plunging
  progressive
• is plunging
  progressive
• have been plunging
  perfect progressive
• has been plunging
  perfect progressive

Past

• plunged
  simple
• had plunged
  perfect
• was plunging
  progressive
• were plunging
  progressive
• had been plunging
  perfect progressive

Future

• will plunge
  simple
• will have plunged
  perfect
• will be plunging
  progressive
• will have been plunging
  perfect progressive

Etymology

Origin of plunge

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

Explanation

Plunge is a noun and a verb related to diving, falling, and sinking. A "polar bear plunge" is when people plunge into freezing cold water for charity or, inexplicably, for fun. As a noun, plunge means “a brief swim” or “a fall.” As a verb, plunge has a variety of definitions. Plunge can mean “to devote yourself fully," as you might plunge into a job by working day and night. Similarly, if you plunge into a good book, you don't let anything distract you from your reading. Plunge can also mean “fall abruptly.” Someone’s reputation might plunge after a scandal, or the stock market might plunge when investors react to bad news.

Example Sentences

He said he did not want to "plunge" the country into the "chaos" of a leadership election but added: "If it does happen, I will fight."

From BBC • Jun. 12, 2026

A plunge in tech firms in New York on Friday was followed by a similar collapse for their Asian counterparts on Monday, sending Seoul's Kospi down more than eight percent.

From Barron's • Jun. 9, 2026

Fear of Covid triggered border closures that caused a plunge in trade with China, North Korea’s main benefactor.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 8, 2026

Facebook, now known as Meta Platforms, took 16 months after its 2012 IPO to recover from an early plunge in its share price.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 4, 2026

My feet snapped over my head and I continued my graceless plunge to the ground.

From "Educated" by Tara Westover

Related Words

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