plummet

[ pluhm-it ]

noun

1. Also called plumb bob. a piece of lead or some other weight attached to a line, used for determining perpendicularity, for sounding, etc.; the bob of a plumb line.
2. something that weighs down or depresses.

verb (used without object)

1. to plunge.

   Synonyms: swoop, drop, dive, fall

plummet

/ ˈplʌmɪt /

verb

1. intr to drop down; plunge

noun

1. another word for plumb bob
2. a lead plumb used by anglers to determine the depth of water

Other Words From

• un·plummet·ed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of plummet¹

1350–1400; (noun) Middle English plommet < Middle French, diminutive of plomb lead; (v.) derivative of the noun See plumb, -et

Word History and Origins

Origin of plummet¹

C14: from Old French plommet ball of lead, from plomb lead, from Latin plumbum

Example Sentences

The value of the Zoo Tokens and the eggs started to plummet.

From BBC

Naturally, Mahama has used the hit in his current campaign, pointing out that under Akufo-Addo, Ghana has plummeted into its worst economic crisis in years.

From BBC

Large budget cuts or plummeting morale could still shrink the science office.

From Science Magazine

Therefore, he faced heavy criticism when Ghana plummeted into its most severe economic crisis in years under his watch.

From BBC

Internal surveys found employee morale had plummeted from a high during the Obama administration to a nadir over the previous three years.

From Salon

Related Words

• collapse
• crash
• decline
• decrease
• descend
• dip
• dive
• drop
• drop down
• fall
• nose-dive
• plunge
• sink
• skid
• tumble