# plunge

Pronunciation: say "PLUNJ" /plʌnd͡ʒ/

## Verb

1. To go into water or another liquid suddenly, by diving, jumping, or rushing in, so that one is submerged.
   - Simple: To jump or dive quickly into water or another liquid.
   - _Swimmers plunge into the icy river during the winter festival._
   - _She plunged beneath the waves and disappeared from view._
2. To thrust something into a liquid, or into any substance it can pierce; to immerse it.
   - Simple: To push something deep into a liquid or soft material.
   - _Plunge the thermometer into the center of the roast._
   - _She plunged her arms into the cold stream to cool off._
3. To fall or rush headlong into a situation, action, state, or condition.
   - Simple: To suddenly get into a hard situation or activity.
   - _He plunged into despair after losing everything he owned._
   - _Investors who plunge into untested markets often regret it._
5. To cast or throw someone or something swiftly and deeply into a state, condition, or action.
   - Simple: To suddenly throw someone or something into a bad state.
   - _The crisis plunged thousands of families into debt._
   - _His decision could plunge the whole region into conflict._
7. To clear a blocked pipe, drain, or toilet by forcing suction with a plunger.
   - Simple: To clear a blocked drain or toilet using a plunger.
   - _She plunged the clogged drain for several minutes._
   - _Plunge the toilet firmly to dislodge the blockage._
8. To lunge forward wildly and headfirst, as a horse sometimes does.
   - Simple: To suddenly throw the body forward and down, the way a wild horse does.
   - _The colt plunged and reared against the unfamiliar saddle._
   - _When startled, the horses plunge forward without warning._
10. To bet heavily and recklessly, risking large sums of money in gambling. *(slang)*
   - Simple: To bet large amounts of money in a risky way.
   - _He plunged on the final race, staking everything he had._
   - _Gamblers who plunge without limits rarely walk away ahead._

## Noun

4. A dive, leap, rush, or pitch headlong down into water.
   - Simple: A quick jump or dive down into water.
   - _The diver's plunge sent up a tall column of spray._
   - _After the sauna, guests take an icy plunge in the river._
6. The act of plunging or sinking down into something.
   - Simple: The act of dropping or sinking down into something.
   - _The diver prepared for her plunge into the deep trench._
   - _A sudden plunge in the elevator made the passengers gasp._
9. A headlong, violent forward pitch of the body, like that of an unruly horse.
   - Simple: A sudden forward throw of the body, like a wild horse makes.
   - _The boat gave a sudden plunge as the wave struck._
   - _Each plunge of the bucking bronco drew gasps from the crowd._
11. Heavy, reckless betting in horse racing; hazardous financial speculation. *(slang)*
   - Simple: Risky betting of large sums, especially on horse races.
   - _The bookmakers still remembered his famous plunge on a single race._
   - _Her plunge into mining shares ended in heavy losses._

## Noun

12. A pool of water for swimming, especially in older usage. *(dated)*
   - Simple: A pool of water built for swimming.
   - _The Victorian spa included a marble plunge fed by spring water._
   - _They built a small plunge behind the old bathhouse._
16. A state of being immersed in difficulty, distress, or embarrassment; a tight or overwhelming situation. *(obsolete)*
   - Simple: A state of being stuck in trouble or great difficulty.

## Verb

13. To baptize a person by full immersion in water. *(obsolete)*
   - Simple: To baptize someone by putting them fully under water.
14. To entangle someone in difficulties, or to throw them into embarrassment and confusion. *(obsolete)*
   - Simple: To leave someone tangled in trouble or thrown into confusion and worry.
15. To bear down upon and overwhelm or overpower, as a flood sweeps over the land. *(obsolete)*
   - Simple: To sweep down with overwhelming, crushing force.

## Origin

**Meanings 1–6, 8–16** — It comes from Middle English 'plungen' via Anglo-Norman and Old French 'plongier', ultimately from an unattested Late Latin frequentative *plumbicō ('to throw a leaded line'), from 'plumbum' meaning 'lead'.
**Meaning 7** — It is a back-formation from 'plunger'.

Source: DictionaryAI, https://dictionaryai.com/define/plunge (written from Wiktionary data, CC BY-SA 4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/).