lunge

1 of 2

noun

ˈlənj 

1

: a quick thrust or jab (as of a sword) usually made by leaning or striding forward

2

: a sudden forward rush or reach

made a lunge to catch the ball

3

: an exercise in which a person in a standing position steps forward into a position in which the front knee is deeply bent while keeping the torso erect and then returns back to the starting position

also : a similar exercise in which the initial movement is to the side rather than forward

Note: A lunge can be done while holding weights or without weights.

lunge

2 of 2

verb

lunged; lunging

intransitive verb

1

: to make a lunge : move with or as if with a lunge

2

: to perform a lunge exercise (see lunge entry 1 sense 3)

transitive verb

: to thrust or propel (something, such as a blow) in a lunge

Synonyms

Noun

• dab
• dig
• jab
• poke

Examples of lunge in a Sentence

Noun

He made a lunge at me with his knife.

He made a desperate lunge for the ball.

Verb

He lunged at me with his knife.

She lunged across the table.

The crocodile lunged at its prey.

The dog lunged for his throat.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Add strengthening exercises: Take a few breaks during your walk to perform body-weight-resistance strengthening exercises, such as squats, push-ups, or lunges. —Amy Kwan, Verywell Health, 18 Dec. 2024

Palmer then leveled the scores just after the hour-mark, converting a penalty after Yves Bissouma’s lunge brought down Moises Caicedo in the box. —Ben Church, CNN, 9 Dec. 2024

Verb

The victim said that Frazier, who was allegedly heavily intoxicated, began verbally threatening physical harm and started to lunge with a knife, according to state police. —Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 19 Dec. 2024

That spurs the humpbacks to lunge into the air to collect the small fish, creating the iconic imagery. —Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 9 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

modification of French allonge extension, reach, from Old French alonge, from alongier to lengthen, from Vulgar Latin *allongare, from Latin ad- ad- + Late Latin longare, from Latin longus long

First Known Use

Noun

1748, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1772, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Kids Definition

lunge

1 of 2 noun

ˈlənj 

1

: a sudden stretching thrust or pass (as with a sword)

2

: a sudden forward rush or reach

lunge

2 of 2 verb

lunged; lunging

1

: to move with or as if with a lunge

2

: to make a lunge (as with a sword)