What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
plunged
Example
The stock market plunged after the announcement of the new policy. [plunged: past tense]
Example
He plunged into the icy water to save the drowning child. [plunged: verb]
Example
The temperature plunged below freezing overnight. [plunged: past tense]
plummet
Example
The company's profits plummeted after the scandal was exposed. [plummeted: past tense]
Example
The airplane plummeted towards the ground before the pilot regained control. [plummeted: past participle]
Example
Her mental health plummeted after the loss of her job. [plummeted: past tense]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Plunge is more commonly used than plummet in everyday language. Plunge is a more versatile word that can be used in a wider range of contexts, while plummet is more specific and often used in more technical or formal settings.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between plunged and plummet?
While both plunge and plummet can be used in formal contexts, plummet is generally considered more formal due to its technical usage in fields such as economics and aviation.
