plunge

PLUNJ/plʌnd͡ʒ/

Noun pluralplunges

16 meanings of plunge

1
verbintransitive
To jump or dive quickly into water or another liquid.
Like jumping straight into a pool with a big splash.
The children plunge into the lake on hot summer days.
He plunged off the high board without hesitating.
Similardive, jump, leap, dip, submerge
Oppositesurface, emerge
2
verbtransitive
To push something deep into a liquid or soft material.
Like dunking a teabag deep into a cup.
She plunged her hands into the warm water.
Plunge the vegetables into boiling water for a minute.
Similarthrust, immerse, dip, sink, submerge
Note
3
verbfigurativelyintransitive
To suddenly get into a hard situation or activity.
Like jumping into deep water before you check how cold it is.
Don't plunge into debt just to impress other people.
The company plunged into crisis overnight.
Similarsink, fall, descend, dive, rush
Note
4
nouncountable
A quick jump or dive down into water.
Like the big splash when you jump feet-first into a pool.
She took a quick plunge into the pool to cool off.
His plunge into the lake soaked everyone standing nearby.
Similardive, dip, leap, jump
5
verbfigurativelytransitive
To suddenly throw someone or something into a bad state.
Like pushing someone into deep water without any warning.
A single mistake can plunge a company into ruin.
The war plunged the nation into poverty.
Similarthrow, push, drive, send, cast
Note
6
nouncountable
The act of dropping or sinking down into something.
Like the quick drop you feel on a steep slide.
The roller coaster's first plunge dropped riders sixty feet.
She felt a thrill at the plunge into the deep end.
Similardrop, dive, fall, descent, plummet
Oppositerise, climb, ascent
7
verbtransitive
To clear a blocked drain or toilet using a plunger.
Like pushing and pulling to force a stuck blockage loose.
He plunged the toilet until the water finally drained away.
You may need to plunge the sink before it clears.
Similarunclog, unblock, clear
Oppositeclog, block
Note
8
verbintransitive
To suddenly throw the body forward and down, the way a wild horse does.
Like a horse that suddenly jerks forward and won't keep still.
The frightened horse began to plunge and kick.
The stallion plunged wildly when the gate swung open.
Similarbuck, lunge, lurch, pitch
Note
9
nounfigurativelycountable
A sudden forward throw of the body, like a wild horse makes.
Like the sudden lurch of a horse trying to throw off its rider.
The horse's plunge nearly threw the rider off.
With a violent plunge, the bull broke free of the rope.
Similarlurch, pitch, lunge, heave, buck
10
verbslangintransitive
To bet large amounts of money in a risky way.
Like betting your whole week's pay on one card.
He likes to plunge on long-shot horses at the track.
She plunged recklessly and lost her savings in a single night.
Similargamble, bet, wager, speculate, punt
Note
11
nounslangcountable
Risky betting of large sums, especially on horse races.
Like risking all your savings on a single horse race.
His big plunge on the derby cost him a fortune.
One reckless plunge wiped out the family's savings.
Similargamble, bet, punt, wager, speculation
Note

Practice

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Origins

Meanings 1–6, 8–16

It came through Old French and Middle English from a Latin word based on 'plumbum', meaning lead.

Meaning 7

It was formed from the word 'plunger'.