dive

dive · verb

imported

Definitions

verb

  1. 1.

    To plunge headfirst into water.

  2. 2.

    To swim underwater using breathing equipment.

  3. 3.

    To move quickly or suddenly in a specified direction.

  4. 4.

    To fall steeply or rapidly.

  5. 5.

    An act of diving into water or underwater.

  6. 6.

    (Informal) A disreputable or shabby bar or nightclub.

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    Take a dive — To lose deliberately (in sports); to fall sharply.
  • •
    Dive in — To start doing something enthusiastically.
  • •
    Deep dive — A thorough examination of a topic.
  • •
    Dive bar — A small, unpretentious, inexpensive bar.

Related words

Antonyms: ascend, rise, surface
See also: diver, diving, plunge
Synonyms: descend, plummet, plunge, submerge

Etymology

From Old English dufan ("to dive, sink") and dyfan ("to dip, immerse"), related to Old Norse dufa ("to dive"). The past tense "dove" is American English, possibly influenced by "drove."