Word
plop
US/ˈpɫɑp/
UK/plˈɒp/
Definition
v. to drop or fall with a soft, dull sound, like a stone into water. You also use it when someone sits down heavily.
v. to fall, drop, or set something down with a soft, dull sound suggesting impact with liquid or a soft surface. Often implies suddenness or heaviness rather than force.
Examples
“She plops down on the sofa after work.”
“He plops the ice cubes into the glass and hears them crack as the warm tea hits.”
“The pebble plops into the still pond, sending slow rings outward while the dog watches from the bank.”
Examples
simple
“She plops down on the sofa after work.”
contextual
“He plops the ice cubes into the glass and hears them crack as the warm tea hits.”
complex
“The pebble plops into the still pond, sending slow rings outward while the dog watches from the bank.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “plop” in context.
Verb
01. pebble plop
“A pebble plopped into the river and the ripples spread out.”
noun + verb
02. plop down
“He came home tired and plopped down in front of the TV.”
verb + adverb
03. plop into pool
“The coin plopped into the pool and sank slowly to the bottom.”
verb + prep + noun
04. plop onto bed
“She got home and plopped onto the bed without changing.”
verb + prep + noun
Noun
05. plop bag
“She plopped her bag on the floor and sat down heavily.”
verb + noun
06. plop tray
“He plopped the tray on the counter and wiped his forehead.”
verb + noun
07. plop down into a chair
“She was so tired she just plopped down into a chair.”
08. plop down on the sofa
“After the long walk, he plopped down on the sofa and closed his eyes.”
09. plop into the water
“The stones plopped into the water one after another.”
Usage
Can be transitive or intransitive; often paired with 'down', 'into', or 'onto'.
Real-World Examples
“She trailed a cord out to the coast and plopped a hydrophone into the water to record the calls of belugas.” “They now gnaw on the banks for roots, graze among the pumpkins and melons, and then plop into water, gliding with their nostrils poking above the algal blooms.” Etymology
Imitative of the sound, or perhaps a variant of plap.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Synonyms
Related words
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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