plunge

/plʌndʒ/
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A sudden forceful move away from the present position or state.

Examples

  • The car plunged down the hillside after leaving the road.
  • Can the company recover from this plunge in revenue?
  • They did not plunge into marriage without talking first.
  • A sudden plunge in temperature damaged the crops.
  • She refused to plunge with her family’s savings.

Similar words

gamble
plummet
speculate
betthrust
drop
tumble
wager
drop
gamble

Meanings

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

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

Sudden downward or inward movement

noun
physical
neutral
A sudden forceful movement or fall downward, forward, or into water.

Examples

  • He took a quick plunge into the sea before breakfast.
  • The path ends beside a steep plunge to the valley floor.
  • Her first plunge from the high board drew cheers.
  • A branch slowed the climber’s plunge down the slope.
  • Would you risk a plunge into water that cold?

Similar words

Sudden large decrease

noun
finance
neutral
A sudden large decrease in a price, amount, level, or measure.

Examples

  • The plunge in oil prices surprised traders.
  • A sudden plunge in temperature damaged the crops.
  • The survey recorded a plunge in public trust.
  • There was no plunge in sales after the change.
  • Can the company recover from this plunge in revenue?

Similar words

Gamble or invest recklessly

verb
gambling
informal
To risk or spend a large amount of money quickly and without enough care, especially in gambling or speculation.

Examples

  • He plunged on a horse that had never won a race.
  • Some traders plunge when rumors promise a quick profit.
  • She refused to plunge with her family’s savings.
  • They plunged recklessly and lost most of the money.
  • Would you plunge on such uncertain odds?

Similar words

Reckless bet or investment

noun
finance
informal
A large, risky bet or investment made quickly and without enough care.

Examples

  • His plunge on the outsider paid off.
  • The investment was a reckless plunge, not a careful plan.
  • One bad plunge wiped out her earlier gains.
  • He regretted the plunge as soon as the market turned.
  • Was that purchase a calculated risk or a wild plunge?

Similar words

Etymology

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.

FAQ

What does plunge mean?

Plunge usually means to move suddenly and forcefully downward or into something. It can also describe a sharp decrease or sudden entry into an activity or condition.

What is the difference between plunge and dive?

Both can describe entering water, but plunge stresses sudden forceful movement and also applies to prices, temperatures, activities, and difficult states.

Can plunge describe prices and temperatures?

Yes. Prices, sales, demand, confidence, and temperatures can plunge when they fall sharply and quickly.

How is plunge into used?

Plunge into can describe physical movement into something, beginning an activity energetically, or entering a condition such as darkness or crisis.

Is plunge a noun as well as a verb?

Yes. A plunge can be a sudden movement into water or a sudden large decrease in a value or level.

Where does plunge come from?

English plunge came through Old French plongier, meaning to dive or sink, probably from a Late Latin form connected with lead used for sounding depth.

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