Plummeted: meaning, definitions and examples

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plummeted

 

[ˈplʌməˌtɪd ]

Definition

Context #1 | Verb

sudden decrease

The word 'plummeted' refers to a rapid and steep decline in value, quantity, or quality. It often describes dramatic reductions, particularly in contexts such as stock prices, temperatures, or other measures of worth. This term conveys a sense of urgency and severity, highlighting how quickly something can drop from a higher state to a much lower one. Plummeting can happen in various scenarios, such as economies, natural phenomena, or even personal experiences.

Synonyms

declined, dropped, fell, tumbled.

Examples of usage

  • The stock market plummeted after the bad news.
  • Temperatures plummeted overnight, causing frost.
  • Sales of the product plummeted following the scandal.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The word comes from 'plummet', which originally referred to a heavy weight used to measure depth in water.
  • The Latin root 'plumbum' means lead, which is heavy, reflecting how something that plummets falls quickly.
  • It has been used in English since the early 17th century to describe both physical and metaphorical downward movements.

Economics

  • Stock prices often plummet during market crashes, significantly affecting investors' wealth.
  • The term is frequently used in economic reports to describe sharp declines in market values or real estate prices.
  • In contrast, prices can 'soar' after plummeting, indicating a volatile market that can bounce back quickly.

Literature

  • In narratives, a character’s fortunes may plummet, highlighting crises or significant turning points in their story.
  • The term is often used in poetry and prose to convey emotional lows or sudden changes in circumstances.
  • Classic works often feature the theme of downfall, where protagonists' lives plummet due to choices or external forces.

Psychology

  • When individuals experience severe disappointment or failure, they may feel as if their happiness has plummeted.
  • The idea of emotional plummeting can connect to mental health, especially during periods of anxiety or depression.
  • Rapid shifts in mood or confidence can be described as plummeting, indicating a lack of stability in emotions.

Nature

  • Certain animals, like hawks, exhibit a plummeting dive when hunting, showcasing their speed and precision.
  • Weather phenomena, such as temperatures plummeting during winter storms, can dramatically affect daily life.
  • In physics, objects in free fall plummet towards the earth due to gravity, illustrating fundamental laws of motion.

Translations

Translations of the word "plummeted" in other languages:

🇵🇹 caiu drasticamente

🇮🇳 गिर गया

🇩🇪 eingestürzt

🇮🇩 jatuh drastis

🇺🇦 падіння

🇵🇱 spadł

🇯🇵 急落した

🇫🇷 s'est effondré

🇪🇸 se desplomó

🇹🇷 düştü

🇰🇷 급락했다

🇸🇦 انهار

🇨🇿 spadl

🇸🇰 klesol

🇨🇳 骤降

🇸🇮 zrušil se

🇮🇸 hrundi

🇰🇿 құлады

🇬🇪 დაიშალა

🇦🇿 çökmüşdür

🇲🇽 se desplomó

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #24,105, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.