plunge

1 of 2

verb

ˈplənj 

plunged; plunging

transitive verb

1

: to cause to penetrate or enter quickly and forcibly into something

plunged the dagger

2

: to cause to enter a state or course of action usually suddenly, unexpectedly, or violently

plunged the nation into economic depression

intransitive verb

1

: to thrust or cast oneself into or as if into water

2

a

: to become pitched or thrown headlong or violently forward and downward

also : to move oneself in such a manner

plunged off the embankment

b

: to act with reckless haste : enter suddenly or unexpectedly

plunges into project after project

c

: to bet or gamble heavily and recklessly

3

: to descend or dip suddenly

the stock's value plunged

plunge

2 of 2

noun

: an act or instance of plunging : dive

also : swim

see also take the plunge

Synonyms

Verb

• dive
• pitch
• sound

Noun

• dive
• pitch

Examples of plunge in a Sentence

Verb

Her car plunged off a bridge.

The stock market plunged yesterday.

The President's approval rating has plunged to 20 percent.

The moose population has plunged in recent years.

The rocky cliffs plunge into the swirling rapids below.

The road plunges down the mountain.

Noun

Amazingly, the cat survived its plunge from the building's roof.

Market analysts predicted a price plunge.

The store experienced a sharp plunge in sales.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Asia revenue, ex-Japan, plunged by 16% year-on-year in the third quarter. —Sonia Heng,evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 5 Nov. 2024

At the glitzy 2024 LACMA Art + Film Gala in Los Angeles last night, the reality TV star stepped out sporting a plunging, form-fitting white Gucci gown and the Attallah cross pendant that was famously worn by the late royal, CNN reported. —Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 5 Nov. 2024

Noun

The only time that figure topped 50% was in April 2020, as the stock market recovered from its pandemic plunge. —Courtenay Brown, Axios, 31 Oct. 2024

There’s a cold plunge pool too, alongside a bar where guests can order craft beer and edamame. —Oliver Horovitz, Contributor, CNBC, 4 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English, from Anglo-French plunger, from Vulgar Latin *plumbicare, from Latin plumbum lead

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing plunge

• plunge in
• plunge into
• plunge into darkness
• plunge to one's death
• take the plunge

Kids Definition

plunge

1 of 2 verb

ˈplənj 

plunged; plunging

1

: to push or drive into something with force

plunged a knife into the pie

2

: to leap or dive into water

3

a

: to rush with reckless haste

plunged into debt

b

: to bring into an unpleasant state

plunged the family into gloom

4

: to dip or move suddenly downward or forward and downward

the road plunges along the slope

plunge

2 of 2 noun

: a sudden dive, leap, or rush