Dive
/daɪv/
Definitions
3 meaningsTo plunge headfirst into water or another liquid.
/daɪv/
To plunge or jump into water headfirst.
She dived into the pool to cool off.
💡 Simply: Think of going swimming! When you jump headfirst into the water from the side of the pool, that's a dive. It's all about going down into something quickly and completely.
👶 For kids: To jump into water head first!
More Examples
The dolphin dived under the waves.
He will dive to catch the ball.
How It's Used
"The swimmer performed a perfect dive into the pool."
"Children love to dive into the ocean on hot days."
To move or descend rapidly, often in a controlled manner.
/daɪv/
To descend rapidly.
The plane dived to avoid the thunderstorm.
💡 Simply: Think of an airplane or an object falling quickly down. It's like dropping down fast. It can be about a plane going down in the air, or even numbers falling in value like if the stock market goes down really fast.
👶 For kids: To go down really fast.
More Examples
The stock market dived during the economic crisis.
The helicopter dived to rescue the people.
How It's Used
"The fighter plane dived to avoid enemy fire."
"The stock market dived after the announcement."
An act of plunging into water or descending rapidly.
/daɪv/
An act of diving.
Her dive into the ocean was graceful.
💡 Simply: It's when you jump into water, head first! Or, when something like a plane goes down fast. It's about the action itself.
👶 For kids: When you jump into the water!
More Examples
The diver prepared for his next dive.
The dolphin performed an amazing dive.
How It's Used
"The gymnast's dive was awarded a perfect score."
"The children took turns making dives off the pier."
Idioms & expressions
dive in
To begin something enthusiastically or without hesitation.
"After the meeting, they decided to dive in and start working on the project immediately."
dive bar
A small, unpretentious bar.
"We ended up at a dive bar after the concert."
From Old English *dūfan* (to dive, submerge), related to Old Norse *dūfa* (to dive) and Proto-Germanic *dubōną*. The meaning evolved to encompass plunging into water and other related actions.
The word has been used since Old English times and has always been associated with a rapid descent or plunge, initially into water.
Memory tip
Imagine you're holding a delicious slice of pizza, and you dive into a pool to eat it. That's a dive!
Word Origin
"To submerge or plunge."