Word
plummet
Phoneticsplum·met, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈpɫəmət/
UK/plˈʌmɪt/
Definitions
01to fall quickly
B2 · Upper Intermediate
v. to fall straight down very quickly from a high place.
v. to fall or drop straight down at high speed. Intransitive; often used to describe physical objects or metaphorical values.
“The bird tucked its wings and started to plummet toward the lake to catch a fish.”
“Witnesses watched the disabled aircraft plummet toward the field, though the pilot managed to steer it away from the residential area at the last second.”
02to decrease rapidly
B2 · Upper Intermediate
v. to go down by a large amount in a very short time.
v. to experience a sudden and significant decrease in value, temperature, or quantity.
“Temperatures are expected to plummet tonight as the cold front moves in.”
“Share prices began to plummet immediately after the CEO announced his unexpected resignation during the quarterly earnings call.”
03a lead weight
C2 · Proficiency Countable noun Science Archaic · Technical
n. a lead weight attached to a line, used to measure how deep water is.
n. a lead weight attached to a line, formerly used in nautical contexts to determine water depth or as a plumb bob.
“The sailor dropped the plummet into the sea to check if the water was deep enough.”
“The architect used a traditional plummet to ensure the stone walls were perfectly vertical during the restoration of the medieval cathedral.”
Usage
In modern contexts, 'plumb line' or 'lead' is more common for the physical tool.
Real-World Examples
“A Pew Research survey in June found that Canadians’ views of the US as a reliable partner had plummeted.” “She points out that teenage pregnancies have plummeted and that modern adolescents are better educated and less violent than their parents’ generation.” Etymology
From Middle English plommet (“ball of lead, plumb of a bob-line”), recorded since 1382, from Old French plommet or plomet, the diminutive of plom, plum (“lead, sounding lead”), from Latin plumbum (“lead”). The verb is first recorded in 1626, originally meaning “to fathom, take soundings", from the noun.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Domain
- 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.C2 ProficiencyIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.8.5–9.0TOEFL 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: 6.0114–120
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C2 · Proficiency
- Updated
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