plunge

UK: /ˈplʌndʒ/ US: /plʌndʒ/ ,(plunj)

Inflections of 'plunge' (v): (⇒ conjugate)

plunges

v 3rd person singular

plunging

v pres p

plunged

v past

plunged

v past p

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

plunge /plʌndʒ/   v., plunged, plung•ing, n. 
v. 

1. to push or thrust (something) into something else with force:
   [~ + object] to plunge a wooden stake into the vampire's heart.
2. to (cause to) fall suddenly, as into water, from a great height, etc.;
   plummet: [no object]
   The car plunged off the highway into the sea.
   [~ + object]
   plunged the car off the cliff.
3. to (cause to) be brought or thrown into some condition suddenly: [~ + object]
   When the electric station exploded, every house was immediately plunged into darkness.
   [no object]
   to plunge into debt.
4. to rush with great speed and little care for one's surroundings:
   [no object] to plunge through a crowd.

n. [countable]

5. the act of plunging.
6. a leap or dive, as into water:
   a headlong plunge into the water.
7. a sudden unplanned act;
   a rush or dash:
   the businessman's abrupt plunge into politics.

Idioms

8. Idioms take the plunge, to enter upon a course of action, esp. after being uncertain or hesitating:
   They should take the plunge and get married.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

plunge  (plunj), v., plunged, plung•ing, n. 
v.t. 

1. to cast or thrust forcibly or suddenly into something, as a liquid, a penetrable substance, a place, etc.;
   immerse;
   submerge:
   to plunge a dagger into one's heart.
2. to bring suddenly or forcibly into some condition, situation, etc.:
   to plunge a country into war; to pull a switch and plunge a house into darkness.
3. Botany [Hort.] to place (a potted plant) up to its rim in soil or in certain other materials, as sand or moss.
4. Surveying to transit (the telescope of a transit or theodolite).

v.i. 

5. to cast oneself, or fall as if cast, into water, a hole, etc.
6. to rush or dash with headlong haste:
   to plunge through a crowd.
7. to bet or speculate recklessly:
   to plunge on the stock market.
8. to throw oneself impetuously or abruptly into some condition, situation, matter, etc.:
   to plunge into debt.
9. to descend abruptly or precipitously, as a cliff, road, etc.
10. to pitch violently forward, as a horse, ship, etc.

n. 

11. act of plunging.
12. a leap or dive, as into water.
13. a headlong or impetuous rush or dash:
    a plunge into danger.
14. a sudden, violent pitching movement.
15. a place for plunging or diving, as a swimming pool.
16. Geology pitch (def. 48).
17. Idioms take the plunge, to enter with sudden decision upon an unfamiliar course of action, as after hesitation or deliberation:
    She took the plunge and invested her entire savings in the plan.

• Middle French plung(i)er Vulgar Latin *plumbicāre to heave the lead. See plumb
• Middle English 1325–75

Synonyms

• 1. See dip ¹.
• 5. dive.
• 6. hasten.
• 9. drop.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

plunge / plʌndʒ/ verb

1. (usually followed by into) to thrust or throw (something, oneself, etc): they plunged into the sea
2. to throw or be thrown into a certain state or condition: the room was plunged into darkness
3. (usually followed by into) to involve or become involved deeply (in)
4. (intransitive) to move or dash violently or with great speed or impetuosity
5. (intransitive) to descend very suddenly or steeply: the ship plunged in heavy seas, a plunging neckline
6. (intransitive) to speculate or gamble recklessly, for high stakes, etc

noun

1. a leap or dive as into water
2. a swim; dip
3. a pitching or tossing motion
4. take the plunge ⇒ to resolve to do something dangerous or irrevocable

Etymology: 14th Century: from Old French plongier, from Vulgar Latin plumbicāre (unattested) to sound with a plummet, from Latin plumbum lead