plunk

[ pluhngk ]

/ plʌŋk /

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verb (used with object)

to pluck (a stringed instrument or its strings); twang: to plunk a guitar.

to throw, push, put, drop, etc., heavily or suddenly; plump (often followed by down): Plunk down your money. She plunked herself down on the seat.

to push, shove, toss, etc. (sometimes followed by in, over, etc.): to plunk the ball over the net; to plunk a pencil into a drawer.

verb (used without object)

to give forth a twanging sound.

to drop heavily or suddenly; plump (often followed by down): to plunk down somewhere and take a nap.

noun

act or sound of plunking.

Informal. a direct, forcible blow.

Slang. a dollar.

adverb

Informal. with a plunking sound.

Informal. squarely; exactly: The tennis ball landed plunk in the middle of the net.

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Origin of plunk

First recorded in 1760–70; expressive word akin to pluck

Words nearby plunk

plunge basin, plunge bath, plunge pool, plunger, plunging fire, plunk, plunk down, plunker, Plunket, Plunket baby, Plunket nurse

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

How to use plunk in a sentence

The program can plunk users in virtual seats around a digital space and use the headgear’s internal motion sensors to track participants’ head movements.
Microsoft's new Mesh platform turns your remote coworkers into holograms|Stan Horaczek|March 3, 2021|Popular-Science
The agency’s refusal to greenlight a Bitcoin ETF, says Selkis, has created a system that enriches the wealthy—those who can plunk down $50,000 to take part in Grayscale’s private offerings—while stiffing ordinary investors.
$20,000 Bitcoin caps Grayscale’s incredible year|Jeff|December 16, 2020|Fortune
When the deal was announced, many were stunned that Facebook would plunk down a billion dollars for a company with 13 employees.
How the Slack/Salesforce deal stacks up to history’s other Big Tech acquisitions|Jeff|December 3, 2020|Fortune
Some initially questioned why Facebook plunked a seemingly staggering sum to acquire a messaging app.
How the Slack/Salesforce deal stacks up to history’s other Big Tech acquisitions|Jeff|December 3, 2020|Fortune

That explains why SoftBank’s Vision Fund and Honda plunked down more than a billion dollars of investment in Cruise last year.
Cruise CEO: Self-driving car market is ‘literally trillions of dollars’|rhhackettfortune|December 1, 2020|Fortune
Sure, the universe of Americans willing to plunk down for an electric sports car is small.
Tesla Wins Even When It’s Losing|Daniel Gross|November 11, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Cash flinched again, wavered, swallowed twice, and got up so abruptly that Lovin Child sat down again with a plunk.
Cabin Fever|B. M. Bower
He heard something hum past his head and plunk into the pilot house behind him.
Shaman|Robert Shea
He had lots of plunk; which accounted for Matey's choice of him as a friend among the juniors.
Lord Ormont and his Aminta, Complete|George Meredith
It came flying plunk out through the front window—and it stuck right into a tree like a dagger.
Tom Slade with the Colors|Percy K. Fitzhugh
In some hidden spot outside the temple something went plunk.
The Lost Warship|Robert Moore Williams

British Dictionary definitions for plunk

plunk

/ (plʌŋk) /

verb

to pluck (the strings) of (a banjo, harp, etc) or (of such an instrument) to give forth a sound when plucked

(often foll by down) to drop or be dropped, esp heavily or suddenly

noun

the act or sound of plunking

informal a hard blow

interjection

an exclamation imitative of the sound of something plunking

adverb

informal exactly; squarelyplunk into his lap

Word Origin for plunk

C20: imitative

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

plunk

Origin of plunk

Words nearby plunk

Words related to plunk

How to use plunk in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for plunk

Word Origin for plunk