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Plummeted Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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plummeted

[หˆplสŒmษ™หŒtษชd ]

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.

Translations

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

Interesting Facts

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 characterโ€™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.

Origin of 'plummeted'

Main points about word origin

  • 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.

The term 'plummet' has origins that trace back to the late Middle English word 'plummete', which meant a lead weight used for measuring depth, particularly in fishing. It is derived from the Latin word 'plumbum', meaning 'lead'. The concept of dropping or falling rapidly aligns with the physical characteristics of a heavy weight like lead, which would quickly sink. Over time, 'plummet' evolved in usage from a literal sense of dropping something downwards to a metaphorical application in describing any sudden decline. This shift reflects broader uses in economics, sales, and other areas of life where abrupt changes in downward direction can be observed.

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.