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Plunk: meaning, definitions and examples

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plunk

 

[ plʌŋk ]

Verb / Noun
Context #1 | Verb

sound action

To plunk means to drop or place something with a sound, often a dull thud. It can also refer to making a quick, sharp sound, as when a musical instrument string is struck or plucked. This action is typically associated with a casual or careless manner. In another context, 'plunk' can indicate a more deliberate action of plucking or striking an object to produce a sound.

Synonyms

drop, pluck, strike, thud

Examples of usage

  • He plunked the book down on the table.
  • She plunked the guitar string to create a chord.
  • He plunked the stones into the water.
  • The child plunked the balloon on the ground.
Context #2 | Noun

sound

A plunk is a sound that resembles a dull, heavy drop or hit. This term is often used to describe the noise made when something is dropped into water or when an object strikes a surface with some force. Plunk can also refer to the specific sound emitted by instruments, especially string instruments when plucked.

Synonyms

bang, clunk, splash, thud

Examples of usage

  • The plunk of the stone hitting the water echoed.
  • I heard a loud plunk when he dropped the ball.
  • The guitarist made a plunk as he strummed the strings.
  • There was a plunk as the keys fell to the ground.

Translations

Translations of the word "plunk" in other languages:

🇵🇹 plunk

🇮🇳 प्लंक

🇩🇪 plunk

🇮🇩 plunk

🇺🇦 плунк

🇵🇱 plunk

🇯🇵 プランク

🇫🇷 plunk

🇪🇸 plunk

🇹🇷 plunk

🇰🇷 플렁크

🇸🇦 بلنك

🇨🇿 plunk

🇸🇰 plunk

🇨🇳 扑通

🇸🇮 plunk

🇮🇸 plunk

🇰🇿 плунк

🇬🇪 პლანკი

🇦🇿 plunk

🇲🇽 plunk

Word origin

The word 'plunk' has its origins in the mid-19th century, probably deriving from the Dutch word 'plonken,' which means to plunge or dive. It is believed to have been influenced by similar words in English that describe sharp or sudden sounds resulting from dropping objects. Over time, its usage expanded from simply denoting a sound to encompass various means of placing or causing something to drop, particularly in informal contexts. This dual-use as both a verb and a noun enhances its versatility in English, allowing it to describe actions and sounds associated with carelessness or nonchalance, as well as deliberate musical activities. Its association with music particularly defines its use in contexts involving string instruments such as guitars and banjos, where the act of plucking strings creates a distinctive sound closely related to the original meaning.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #36,965, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.