Word: plunging (verb)

Associations

"Plunging" means to dive or fall quickly and suddenly. It often suggests a rapid movement downwards.

• Example 1: "The diver is plunging into the water." (Here, it describes someone jumping into water headfirst.)
• Example 2: "The stock market is plunging due to economic concerns." (In this case, it describes a rapid decrease in stock prices.)
• Example 3: "She felt her heart plunging when she heard the news." (This suggests a sudden feeling of fear or shock.)

A synonym for "plunging" is "dropping." The difference is that "plunging" implies a more intense and rapid descent, while "dropping" can be slower and less dramatic.

Substitution

Other words that can be used in place of "plunging" include:

• "falling" - This is more general and can refer to any downward movement.
• "dipping" - This suggests a slight or gradual decline rather than a sudden drop.
• "tumbling" - This implies a chaotic or uncontrolled fall.

Deconstruction

The word "plunging" comes from the root "plunge," which means to dive or fall. The suffix "-ing" indicates that it is happening right now (present participle). The root "plunge" has origins in Middle English, meaning to dive or to throw into water.

Inquiry

• Can you think of a time when you felt like something was "plunging"? What was happening?
• How would you use "plunging" in a sentence about a sport or activity?
• In what situations might you choose to use "plunging" instead of "falling"? Why?