Plunging
/ˈplʌndʒɪŋ/
verbadjectiveB2present participle
Definition
Plunging describes the action of going down very fast and deeply, like jumping into water or falling. It can also mean a sudden big drop in numbers or levels, such as in stock prices or temperature. The word shows strong, quick movement downwards.
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See It in Action
Moving or falling quickly and deeply downward
- •The diver was plunging into the clear blue water.
- •The airplane started plunging toward the ground during the storm.
- •Leaves were plunging from the trees in the strong wind.
Sudden and large decrease in amount, level, or value
- •The stock market is plunging after the bad news.
- •Temperatures are plunging as winter approaches.
- •Sales have been plunging since the new competitor arrived.
(Adjective) Describing something that goes down sharply or deeply
- •She wore a dress with a plunging neckline.
- •The road took a plunging curve down the mountain.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "plunging" like "falling" (A1 word), but much faster and deeper, like diving straight down
- ✓Picture someone jumping headfirst into a deep swimming pool, water splashing all around
- ✓It feels like a sudden surprise or shock when something plunges, like seeing a price drop quickly
- ✓Sounds like "PLUNJ-ing" → imagine a loud splash as someone jumps into water from high up
- ✓Remember action movies where a character falls quickly from a cliff or a plane—fast and deep movement
- ✓NOT like "drop" (can be slow or small), plunging is fast and strong downward movement
- ✓NOT like "sink" (slowly going down), plunging is quick and forceful
- ✓As an adjective, plunging can describe things that go down sharply, like a plunging neckline (deep and low cut)
- ✓Used in finance or weather, plunging means sudden big decrease, not gradual change
Try Other Words
- •Diving: moving down quickly, usually headfirst (Use when talking about jumping into water or similar)
- •Dropping: going down, usually slower or less intense (Use for gradual or less forceful downward movement)
- •Descending: going down, often slowly or carefully (Use in formal or neutral contexts)
- •Collapsing: falling down suddenly, often used for structures or markets (Use for sudden failure or crash)
Unboxing
- •Prefix/root/suffix: "plunge" (root verb meaning to jump or fall quickly) + "-ing" (present participle suffix showing ongoing action)
- •Etymology: From Old French "plongier," meaning to dive or immerse in water
- •Historical development: Originally used for diving into water, later extended to any fast downward movement or sharp decrease
- •Modern usage: Used for physical actions (jumping, falling) and metaphorical drops (prices, temperatures, moods)
Reflect & Connect
•What situations in your life could you describe as "plunging"? How do those moments feel?
•How does the word "plunging" change the meaning when used for physical movement versus financial or emotional situations?
Fill in the blanks
1.The stock prices were plunging ___ the bad economic report was released.
2.When the temperature started plunging, everyone put on ___ warm clothes.
3.Unlike a slow fall, plunging means moving down very ___ and fast.
4.She wore a dress with a plunging neckline that showed her ___ chest.
5.After the accident, the plane began plunging ___ the ground without control.
6.Sales kept plunging despite the company’s efforts to ___ them.
7.The diver was plunging into the water with a loud ___ and splash.