# diving

/ˈdaɪvɪŋ/ (US) · /dˈaɪvɪŋ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/diving
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. jumping into water

noun · CEFR A2

the sport of jumping into water with your head first, often doing flips or twists.

For teachers: the sport or activity of jumping or falling into water from a platform or springboard, usually while performing acrobatic manoeuvres.

- She won a gold medal in high-board diving at the summer games.
- The judges awarded high scores for the complexity of the dive and the minimal splash created upon entry into the pool.

### 2. swimming underwater

noun · CEFR B1

swimming deep under the surface of the water, often using special breathing equipment.

For teachers: the activity of swimming underwater, typically using scuba gear or holding one's breath to explore marine environments.

- We went diving in the Red Sea to look at the colourful coral reefs.
- Technical diving requires extensive training and specialized equipment to manage the physiological risks of deep-sea exploration.

### 3. faking a fall

noun · CEFR B2 · Informal

in sports like football, pretending to fall down to trick the referee into giving a penalty.

For teachers: the act of deliberately falling to the ground to deceive an official into awarding a foul or penalty.

- The striker was criticized for diving in the penalty area during the final minutes.
- The referee issued a yellow card for diving, as the slow-motion replay clearly showed there was no physical contact between the players.

### 4. moving downwards

adjective · CEFR B2

describing something that is moving or falling quickly downwards.

For teachers: characterised by a sudden or steep descent; often used to describe physical movement or birds of prey.

- The diving bird caught a fish just before it hit the water.
- The pilot managed to pull the aircraft out of a diving spiral just seconds before impact.

## Examples

- She is very good at diving from the high board.
- We spent our vacation diving in the coral reefs to see the colorful tropical fish.
- Competitive diving requires a rare combination of physical strength, precise body control, and the mental focus to execute complex aerial maneuvers before entering the water with minimal splash.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.