Definition Definition

plunge - Meaning and Examples

Meaning of 'plunge' (Webster Dictionary)

1 . Plunge [ n.]
- The act of thrusting into or submerging; a dive, leap, rush, or pitch into, or as into, water; as, to take the water with a plunge.
- Hence, a desperate hazard or act; a state of being submerged or overwhelmed with difficulties.
- The act of pitching or throwing one's self headlong or violently forward, like an unruly horse.
- Heavy and reckless betting in horse racing; hazardous speculation.
2 . Plunge [ v. i.]
- To thrust or cast one's self into water or other fluid; to submerge one's self; to dive, or to rush in; as, he plunged into the river. Also used figuratively; as, to plunge into debt.
- To pitch or throw one's self headlong or violently forward, as a horse does.
- To bet heavily and with seeming recklessness on a race, or other contest; in an extended sense, to risk large sums in hazardous speculations.
3 . Plunge [ v. t.]
- To thrust into water, or into any substance that is penetrable; to immerse; to cause to penetrate or enter quickly and forcibly; to thrust; as, to plunge the body into water; to plunge a dagger into the breast. Also used figuratively; as, to plunge a nation into war.
- To baptize by immersion.
- To entangle; to embarrass; to overcome.

Meaning of 'plunge' (Princeton's WordNet)

1 . plunge [ v]
Meaning (1):
- immerse briefly into a liquid so as to wet, coat, or saturate
Example in sentence:
  • dip the brush into the paint;
  • dip the garment into the cleaning solution
Meaning (2):
- devote (oneself) fully to
Example in sentence:
  • He immersed himself into his studies
Meaning (3):
- begin with vigor
Example in sentence:
  • He launched into a long diatribe;
  • She plunged into a dangerous adventure
Meaning (4):
- thrust or throw into
Example in sentence:
  • Immerse yourself in hot water
Meaning (5):
- fall abruptly
Example in sentence:
  • It plunged to the bottom of the well
Meaning (6):
- dash violently or with great speed or impetuosity
Example in sentence:
  • She plunged at it eagerly
Meaning (7):
- cause to be immersed
Example in sentence:
  • The professor plunged his students into the study of the Italian text
Meaning (8):
- drop steeply
Example in sentence:
  • the stock market plunged