plunge

[ pluhnj ]

verb (used with object)

, plunged, plung·ing.

1. to cast or thrust forcibly or suddenly into something, as a liquid, a penetrable substance, a place, etc.; immerse; submerge:

   to plunge a dagger into one's heart.

2. to bring suddenly or forcibly into some condition, situation, etc.:

   to plunge a country into war; to pull a switch and plunge a house into darkness.

3. Horticulture. to place (a potted plant) up to its rim in soil or in certain other materials, as sand or moss.
4. Surveying. to transit (the telescope of a transit or theodolite).

verb (used without object)

, plunged, plung·ing.

1. to cast oneself, or fall as if cast, into water, a hole, etc.

   Synonyms: dive

2. to rush or dash with headlong haste:

   to plunge through a crowd.

   Synonyms: hasten

3. to bet or speculate recklessly:

   to plunge on the stock market.

4. to throw oneself impetuously or abruptly into some condition, situation, matter, etc.:

   to plunge into debt.

5. to descend abruptly or precipitously, as a cliff, road, etc.

   Synonyms: drop

6. to pitch violently forward, as a horse, ship, etc.

noun

1. act of plunging.
2. a leap or dive, as into water.
3. a headlong or impetuous rush or dash:

   a plunge into danger.

4. a sudden, violent pitching movement.
5. a place for plunging or diving, as a swimming pool.
6. Geology. pitch ¹( def 45 ).

plunge

/ plʌndʒ /

verb

1. usually foll by into to thrust or throw (something, oneself, etc)

   they plunged into the sea

2. to throw or be thrown into a certain state or condition

   the room was plunged into darkness

3. usually foll by into to involve or become involved deeply (in)

   he plunged himself into a course of Sanskrit

4. intr to move or dash violently or with great speed or impetuosity
5. intr to descend very suddenly or steeply

   the ship plunged in heavy seas

   a plunging neckline

6. informal.
   intr to speculate or gamble recklessly, for high stakes, etc

noun

1. a leap or dive as into water
2. informal.
   a swim; dip
3. a place where one can swim or dive, such as a swimming pool
4. a headlong rush

   a plunge for the exit

5. a pitching or tossing motion
6. take the plunge informal.
   1. to resolve to do something dangerous or irrevocable
   2. to get married

Other Words From

• re·plunge verb replunged replunging noun
• un·plunged adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of plunge¹

1325–75; Middle English < Middle French plung ( i ) er ≪ Vulgar Latin *plumbicāre to heave the lead. See plumb

Word History and Origins

Origin of plunge¹

C14: from Old French plongier, from Vulgar Latin plumbicāre (unattested) to sound with a plummet, from Latin plumbum lead

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. take the plunge, to enter with sudden decision upon an unfamiliar course of action, as after hesitation or deliberation:

   She took the plunge and invested her entire savings in the plan.

More idioms and phrases containing plunge

see take the plunge .

Synonym Study

See dip ¹.

Example Sentences

The country was plunged into crisis after Chancellor Olaf Scholz, of the Social Democrats, fired the finance minister and coalition partner, Christian Lindner of the Free Democrats, following weeks of internal tensions.

From BBC

The same combination produced the second try with a Smith line break wrenching Australia out of shape and Cunningham-South plunging over from a tap penalty.

From BBC

Although the loss has plunged some Democrats into recriminations and soul searching about the future of their party, experts are urging them not to place the blame on Latinos.

From Los Angeles Times

Response rates to surveys have plunged, as it becomes easier for people to screen calls from unknown numbers.

From BBC

The crisis inside the coalition plunged Europe's largest economy into political chaos, hours after Trump's election triggered deep uncertainty about the future of the continent's economy and security.

From BBC

Related Words

• descend
• dip
• drive
• drop
• go down
• hurtle
• jump
• nose-dive
• plummet
• sink
• throw
• tumble