Immerse Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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immerse

[ɪˈmɜːrs ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Verb

in water

To involve oneself deeply in a particular activity or interest. To completely engage in something.

Synonyms

absorb, engage, involve.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
immerse

Use when describing a deep and total involvement in an activity or environment. Often suggests complete focus and can be literal, like immersing in water, or figurative, like immersing in a culture.

  • She decided to immerse herself in the local culture by learning the language and customs.
  • They were completely immersed in the book, losing track of time.
engage

Ideal for describing interaction, involvement, or participation in an activity, conversation, or task. Typically implies active and interested involvement.

  • The teacher engaged the students with an interesting experiment.
  • She engaged in a heated debate about politics.
involve

Use when describing the participation or inclusion of someone or something in an activity or situation. Often implies a more inclusive and comprehensive involvement.

  • The project involves several different departments.
  • Parents were involved in the decision-making process at the school.
absorb

Suitable for situations where one is taking in information, knowledge, or experiencing something deeply. It can also describe the process of soaking up liquids.

  • He absorbed all the information during the lecture.
  • The sponge absorbed the water quickly.

Examples of usage

  • I like to immerse myself in a good book on a rainy day.
  • She decided to immerse herself in learning a new language.
  • He was so immersed in his work that he lost track of time.
Context #2 | Verb

in liquid

To dip or submerge in a liquid. To cover completely with a liquid.

Synonyms

dip, soak, submerge.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
immerse

To involve deeply in a particular activity or interest, or to cover completely in a liquid. Often used in both literal and figurative contexts.

  • She decided to immerse herself in learning a new language
  • The chef immersed the vegetables in boiling water
submerge

To completely cover something with a liquid. Often used when talking about objects or areas that are fully under water.

  • The city was submerged after the heavy rains
  • Submerge the sponge in the soapy water to clean it
dip

To put something into a liquid quickly and then take it out again. Typically used in contexts where quick, temporary submersion is necessary.

  • She dipped the paintbrush into the water
  • He dipped his toes into the pool to check the temperature
soak

To leave something in a liquid for a period of time so that it becomes wet and soft. Commonly used for actions that require more time and complete absorption.

  • Leave the beans to soak overnight
  • She soaked her feet in warm water after a long day

Examples of usage

  • The chef immersed the vegetables in boiling water.
  • She immersed her feet in the cold river to cool off.
  • The fabric was immersed in dye to achieve the desired color.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Origin of 'immerse'

The word 'immerse' comes from the Latin word 'immersus', which is the past participle of 'immergere', meaning to dip or sink into. The concept of immersing oneself in an activity or submerging an object in liquid has been a part of human culture for centuries. The word has evolved over time to encompass a broader meaning of deep involvement or complete coverage.


Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #22,931, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.