immersed

[ ih-murst ]

adjective

1. plunged or sunk in or as if in a liquid.
2. Biology. somewhat or wholly sunk in the surrounding parts, as an organ.
3. Botany. growing under water.

immersed

/ ɪˈmɜːst /

adjective

1. sunk or submerged
2. (of plants) growing completely submerged in water
3. (of a plant or animal organ) embedded in another organ or part
4. involved deeply; engrossed

Other Words From

• unim·mersed adjective
• well-im·mersed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of immersed¹

First recorded in 1660–70; immerse + -ed ²

Example Sentences

It’s similar to a “flow state,” Spiegel says, or an altered state of consciousness in which a person is so immersed in a given activity, their focus narrows and their sense of time shifts.

From Time

You may gulp it down in one sitting or become immersed when you open up the book to a random chapter.

From Washington Blade

Privilege can be a hard concept to get a handle on, especially for those who are immersed in it and reaping the benefits.

From The Daily Beast

Then Gilkes immersed himself in the Old Masters at the Hermitage in St. Petersburg.

From The Daily Beast

Leto immersed himself in the role completely, slimming down to 116 pounds and refusing to break character on set.

From The Daily Beast

Vand became so immersed in the role that it was hard to let go of the Girl once the time came.

From The Daily Beast

Du Pont would become fully immersed in one field—like birds—before moving on to his next obsession.

From The Daily Beast

Should the vapor not condense well, the test-tube may be immersed in a glass of cold water.

From Project Gutenberg

The callous Justice passed on to the next stye, immersed in thought.

From Project Gutenberg

Some of the latter were so diaphanous as to be perfectly invisible when immersed in the water.

From Project Gutenberg

Besides, he was immersed in military preparations, summoning reinforcements and hurrying up supplies.

From Project Gutenberg

The victim said "nine," immersed in his paper again, studying that living room suite.

From Project Gutenberg