dive

1 of 2

verb

ˈdīv 

dived ˈdīvd  or dove ˈdōv  ; dived also dove; diving

intransitive verb

1

a

: to plunge into water intentionally and especially headfirst

also : to execute a dive (see dive entry 2 sense 1a(1))

diving into the pool from the highest platform

b

: submerge

the submarine dived

2

a

: to come or drop down precipitously : plunge

the temperature is diving

b

: to plunge one's hand into something

dived into his pocket

c

of an airplane : to descend in a dive

3

a

: to plunge into some matter or activity

she dove into her studies

b

: to plunge or dash for some place

diving for cover

also : to lunge especially in order to seize something

dove for the ball

transitive verb

1

: to thrust into something

diving one's hands into the icy water

2

: to cause to dive

dive a submarine

Dived vs. Dove: Usage Guide

Dive, which was originally a weak verb, developed a past tense dove, probably by analogy with verbs like drive, drove. Dove exists in some British dialects and has become the standard past tense especially in speech in some parts of Canada. In the U.S. dived and dove are both widespread in speech as past tense and past participle, with dove less common than dived in the south Midland area, and dived less common than dove in the Northern and north Midland areas. In writing, the past tense dived is usual in British English and somewhat more common in American English. Dove seems relatively rare as a past participle in writing.

dive

2 of 2

noun

1

: the act or an instance of diving: such as

a(1)

: a plunge into water executed in a prescribed manner

practicing her dives

(2)

nautical : a submerging of a submarine

(3)

aviation : a steep descent of an airplane at greater than the maximum speed of horizontal flight

b

: a sharp decline

Stocks took a dive.

2

: a shabby and disreputable establishment (such as a bar or nightclub)

3

combat sports : a faked knockout

—usually used in the phrase take a dive

a boxer accused of taking a dive

4

football : an offensive (see offensive entry 1 sense 1c) play in which the ballcarrier plunges into the line (see line entry 1 sense 7f(2)) for short yardage

Synonyms

Verb

• pitch
• plunge
• sound

Noun

• pitch
• plunge

Examples of dive in a Sentence

Verb

She dove into the swimming pool.

The children like to dive off the boat.

The competitors will be diving from the highest platform.

Many people enjoy diving on the island's coral reefs.

You can't dive in this water without a wet suit.

The submarine can dive to 3,000 feet.

The whale dove down to deeper water.

Noun

She practiced her dives for the competition.

This will be my first dive on a coral reef.

She has done dives all around the world.

The crew of the submarine prepared for a dive.

The jet rolled into a dive.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Editor’s note: The Hill’s Morning Report is our daily newsletter that dives deep into Washington’s agenda. —Alexis Simendinger, The Hill, 18 Dec. 2024

For those intrigued by royal Christmas menus past, Parker Bowles’s Cooking and the Crown, published this year, dives into the history of royal tastes. —Hayley Maitland, Vogue, 18 Dec. 2024

Noun

For a dive into the interesting and often quirky history of Japan’s modern novelties, stop by the Sapporo Beer Museum, Yokohama’s Cup Noodles Museum, and the TOTO Toilet Museum in Kitakyushu. —Anna Mazurek, AFAR Media, 16 Dec. 2024

Then there was a plane, armed with torpedoes, pulling out of its dive over Ford Island. —Thomas Curwen, Los Angeles Times, 7 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English diven, duven, from Old English dȳfan to dip & dūfan to dive; akin to Old English dyppan to dip — more at dip

Noun

derivative of dive entry 1

First Known Use

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1a

Noun

1700, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing dive

• back dive
• crash dive
• deep dive
• dive-bomb
• dive for
• dive (right) in
• dive (right) in/into (something)
• free dive
• front dive
• made a dive for cover
• make a dive for
• power dive
• pre-dive
• skin-dive
• swan dive

Kids Definition

dive

1 of 2 verb

ˈdīv 

dived ˈdīvd  or dove ˈdōv  ; diving

1

a

: to plunge into water headfirst

b

: submerge sense 1

2

a

: to fall fast

the temperature dived at night

b

: to descend in an airplane at a very steep angle

3

a

: to plunge into some matter or activity

b

: to thrust oneself forward suddenly : lunge

dived for cover

diver noun

dive

2 of 2 noun

1

: the act or an instance of diving: as

a

: a plunge into water done in a specified manner

b

: a steep downward movement of a submarine or an airplane

c

: a sharp drop (as in prices)

2

: a shabby place (as a bar)

3

: a faked knockout in boxing