Dictionary entries for 'plunge'

Synonyms

plunge (plŭnj)

[Middle English plungen, from Old French plongier, from Vulgar Latin* plumbicāre, to heave a sounding lead, from Latin plumbum, lead.]

verb: plunged, plung·ing, plung·es.

To thrust or throw forcefully into a substance or place: “Plunge the lobsters, head first, into a large pot of rapidly boiling salted water” (Craig Claiborne)
To cast suddenly, violently, or deeply into a given state or situation: “The street was plunged in cool shadow” (Richard Wright)

To fall or throw oneself into a substance or place: We plunged into the icy mountain lake.
To throw oneself earnestly or wholeheartedly into an activity or situation: plunged into my studies.
To enter or move headlong through something: The hunting dogs plunged into the forest.
To descend steeply; fall precipitously: a cliff that plunges to the sea.
To move forward and downward violently: The rider plunged from the bucking horse.
To become suddenly lower; decrease dramatically: Stock prices plunged during the banking crisis.
To speculate or gamble extravagantly.

The act or an instance of plunging.
1. A place or area, such as a swimming pool, for diving or plunging.
2. A swim; a dip.

take the plunge: To begin an unfamiliar venture, especially after hesitating: After a three-year engagement, they're finally taking the plunge.