plunge

[ pluhnj ]

/ plʌndʒ /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR plunge ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object), plunged, plung·ing.

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.

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.

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

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

verb (used without object), plunged, plung·ing.

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

to rush or dash with headlong haste: to plunge through a crowd.

to bet or speculate recklessly: to plunge on the stock market.

to throw oneself impetuously or abruptly into some condition, situation, matter, etc.: to plunge into debt.

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

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

noun

act of plunging.

a leap or dive, as into water.

a headlong or impetuous rush or dash: a plunge into danger.

a sudden, violent pitching movement.

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

Geology. pitch¹(def 45).

Words nearby plunge

plumule, plumulose, plumy, plunder, plunderage, plunge, plunge basin, plunge bath, plunge pool, plunger, plunging fire

Idioms for plunge

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.

Origin of plunge

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

SYNONYMS FOR plunge

5 dive.

6 hasten.

9 drop.

SEE SYNONYMS FOR plunge ON THESAURUS.COM

OTHER WORDS FROM plunge

re·plunge, verb, re·plunged, re·plung·ing; nounun·plunged, adjective

synonym study for plunge

1. See dip¹.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for plunged

In Tuesday trading alone, it plunged by more than 20 percent against the U.S. dollar.
Putin Can’t Bully or Bomb a Recession|Daniel Gross|December 16, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Meanwhile, marriage rates among high-school graduates have declined, and those among high-school dropouts have plunged.
The Real Enemy of Marital Bliss Are Those Most Opposed to Marriage Equality|Jay Michaelson|October 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST
As the world from Ferguson to Syria plunged into chaos this summer, public opinion polls rolled in every week.
The Polls Are In: ISIS Is Outside Your Window|Jack Holmes|October 6, 2014|DAILY BEAST
For Tolkien, the tale into which 1914 had plunged him never ended.
Why World War I Is at the Heart of ‘Lord of the Rings’|John Garth|July 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Caracas was plunged into darkness in the middle of a televised speech by President Nicolas Maduro.
Who Will Maduro Blame for Venezuela’s Blackout This Time?|Daniel Lansberg-Rodríguez|June 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST
She plunged ahead; still addressing her remarks to the girl.
Two on the Trail|Hulbert Footner
“Now,” cried Tahuna, as a great breaker retired; and the four Maoris rushed forward, and plunged into the surf.
The Tale of Timber Town|Alfred Grace
Will Daniel plunged in and turning to me said, "Come on sergeant."
Under the Stars and Bars|Walter A. Clark
They reached the bottom without accident; then plunged with frightful speed into the street most crowded with soldiers.
The Usurper|Judith Gautier
It had lifted her out of the anger and depression in which she had been plunged by the Rupert Louth episode.
December Love|Robert Hichens

British Dictionary definitions for plunged

plunge

/ (plʌndʒ) /

verb

(usually foll by into) to thrust or throw (something, oneself, etc)they plunged into the sea

to throw or be thrown into a certain state or conditionthe room was plunged into darkness

(usually foll by into) to involve or become involved deeply (in)he plunged himself into a course of Sanskrit

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

(intr) to descend very suddenly or steeplythe ship plunged in heavy seas; a plunging neckline

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

noun

a leap or dive as into water

informal a swim; dip

mainly US a place where one can swim or dive, such as a swimming pool

a headlong rusha plunge for the exit

a pitching or tossing motion

take the plunge informal

to resolve to do something dangerous or irrevocable
to get married

Word Origin for plunge

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

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

Idioms and Phrases with plunged

plunge

see take the plunge.

plunge

verb (used with object), plunged, plung·ing.

verb (used without object), plunged, plung·ing.

noun

Content related to plunge

Words related to plunge

Words nearby plunge

Idioms for plunge

Origin of plunge

SYNONYMS FOR plunge

OTHER WORDS FROM plunge

synonym study for plunge

Examples from the Web for plunged

British Dictionary definitions for plunged

verb

noun

Word Origin for plunge

Idioms and Phrases with plunged