Plummet: Definition, Usage & Common Mistakes

Meaning 1：drop sharply and steeply (plummet)

plummet 🔊

/ˈplʌmɪt/

vi.

to fall very quickly and steeply, like a stone dropping straight down.

Plummet definition illustrated by a steep red line dropping on a stock market chart

drop sharply and steeply 🔊

➕

/drɒp ˈʃɑːpli ənd ˈstiːpli/

vi.

To fall very quickly in a nearly vertical manner, often used for prices, values, or objects.

📁 Category：Social Economy 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Latin 'plumbum' (lead), as a lead weight used for vertical measurement.

💡 Mnemonic

Think of a heavy PLUM MET hitting the ground: falling fast and straight down.

📖 Example

After the company released the bad news, its stock price plummeted by 30% in just one hour. 🔊 This illustrates how a stock price can fall rapidly after negative news.

🔗 Collocations

plummet to – fall quickly to a low level

plummet from – drop rapidly from a higher point

plummet in value – decrease sharply in worth

🔄 Synonyms

plunge (vi.) – to fall or drop suddenly and steeply

tumble (vi.) – to fall quickly and uncontrollably

nose-dive (vi.) – to drop sharply, especially in value

🚫 Antonyms

soar (vi.) – to rise or increase rapidly

rise (vi.) – to move upward

climb (vi.) – to go up gradually

📖 Cultural Story

Originates from Latin 'plumbum' (lead), used in plumb lines for depth sounding. In modern finance, it frequently describes sharp drops in stock prices or economic indicators.