From late Middle English plungen, from Old French plongier, “to dive or sink.” The French word probably came from a Late Latin form based on Latin plumbum, “lead,” recalling a lead weight lowered to measure depth.
Move suddenly and forcefully
verb
physical
neutral
To move, fall, or be pushed suddenly and forcefully forward, downward, or into something.
Examples
- The car plunged down the hillside after leaving the road.
- She plunged into the cold lake without hesitation.
- He plunged the spoon into the thick pudding.
- Water plunges over the rocks into a deep pool.
- Do not plunge the hot glass into cold water.
Similar words
Fall sharply in level or value
verb
finance
neutral
To become much lower very quickly, especially in price, amount, temperature, or popularity.
Examples
- Shares plunged after the company cut its forecast.
- Temperatures plunged below freezing overnight.
- Attendance has not plunged despite the higher ticket price.
- Why did demand plunge so suddenly?
- Her confidence plunged when the results arrived.
Similar words
plummet
tumble
collapse
drop
sink
nosedive
Enter an activity or condition suddenly
verb
everyday
neutral
To begin an activity with energy or suddenly enter, or cause someone or something to enter, a difficult condition.
Examples
- After a short welcome, we plunged into the discussion.
- The blackout plunged the neighborhood into darkness.
- She plunged herself into work after the move.
- One careless decision could plunge the project into crisis.
- They did not plunge into marriage without talking first.
Similar words
dive into
launch into
throw oneself into
immerse
engulf