Dunk: meaning, definitions and examples

This term is often used in basketball to describe the action of jumping and thrusting the ball downwards into the basket. It's also used outside sports to mean dipping something quickly into a liquid.

• He made an incredible dunk during the last quarter of the game.
• I like to dunk my cookies in milk.

A specific term in basketball describing a forceful and impressive way of scoring by slamming the ball through the hoop. It's also used metaphorically to describe something that's a sure success or easy task.

• He finished the play with a stunning slam dunk.
• This new proposal is a slam dunk for the company.

In basketball, this word describes a powerful dunk similar to a 'slam dunk'. Outside sports, 'jam' is used to mean a situation where something is stuck or blocked. It can also refer to a type of fruit preserve or an improvised musical session.

• He scored with a powerful jam in the final seconds.
• There's a traffic jam on the highway.
• She spread jam on her toast.
• The band had a late-night jam session.

Used when immersing something quickly into a liquid, particularly for a short period of time. Often associated with food, such as dipping a cookie into milk.

• She likes to dunk her donuts in coffee
• He dunked the basketball during the game

Used for a brief immersion into a liquid. Commonly used in the context of dipping food but can also refer to a small reduction or movement.

• Dip your fries in ketchup
• The stock market took a slight dip yesterday

Used when something is completely covered in liquid, often for a longer period of time. This term is more technical and can describe anything from submerging objects in water to submerging oneself underwater.

• The submarine can submerge for hours
• Please submerge the vegetables in boiling water to blanch them