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plunge definition

plunge (plunj)

transitive verb plunged, plunging plung′·ing

to thrust, throw, or force suddenly (into a liquid, hole, condition, etc.) to plunge an oar into the water, to plunge a country into debt

Etymology: ME plungen < OFr plongier < VL *plumbicare < L plumbum, lead: see plumb

intransitive verb

  1. to throw oneself, dive, or rush, as into water, a fight, etc.
  2. to move violently and rapidly downward or forward
  3. to pitch, as a ship
  4. to slope steeply, as a road
  5. to extend far down in a revealing way a plunging neckline or back
  6. Informal to spend, gamble, or speculate heavily or rashly

noun

    1. a dive or downward leap
    2. a swim
  2. any sudden, violent plunging motion
  3. a place for plunging, or swimming
  4. Informal a heavy, rash investment or speculation
plunge Idioms

take the plunge

to start on a new and seemingly uncertain enterprise, esp. after some hesitation

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Alternate definitions:

idioms plunge idiom

plunge Synonyms

plunge*

n.

dive, leap, fall; see dive 1, fall 1.

take the plunge*

start, commence, attempt; see begin 1.


plunge

v.

fall, throw oneself, rush; see dive, jump 1.


Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

plunge Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • take: The end result, the baby penguins taking the plunge into the water for the first time, is also moving.

Adjective modifier

  • polar: It seems mad in these temperatures, almost as mad as the polar plunge.

Preposition: over

  • cliff: The Moonbus moves off, and trying to take a turning too fast, it plunges over the cliff and onto the rocks below.

Preposition: into

  • sea: Watch the cliff divers plunge into the deep blue sea below.

Modifies a noun

  • pool: Two Deluxe Ocean View Rooms are located on the ground floor, each having a large private garden area with a private plunge pool.

Modifying Another Word

  • headfirst: However, we strongly advise teachers to tackle the pre-reading activities first and not to plunge headfirst into the story.
plunge usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

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MLA Style

"plunge." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009

  • Your Dictionary. 4 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/plunge>

APA Style

plunge. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 4th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/plunge

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