nosedive

noun

nose·​dive ˈnōz-ˌdīv 

1

: a downward nose-first plunge of a flying object (such as an airplane)

2

: a sudden extreme drop

stock prices took a nosedive

nose-dive intransitive verb

Synonyms

• descent
• dip
• dive
• down
• drop
• fall
• plunge

Examples of nosedive in a Sentence

The plane went into a nosedive.

The stock market took a nosedive.

Recent Examples on the Web

That’s all the more important for Champagne producers, as the sector has taken a nosedive in the past few years: Shipments fell 9.2 percent last year, and companies such a Mumm posted double-digit declines in sales during the most recent fiscal year. —Tori Latham, Robb Report, 24 Jan. 2025

Manchester City’s nosedive in late 2024 is one reason for that, but there have been others. —Oliver Kay, The Athletic, 13 Jan. 2025

But the company’s bloated inventories and profit nosedive in recent months have shocked industry observers after years of its sizable margins being the envy of competitors in Detroit and abroad. —Reuters, CNN, 10 Oct. 2024

But considering the quality of the players and the fact their manager is Pep Guardiola, the team’s performance without the ball has taken a nosedive. —Ahmed Walid, The Athletic, 28 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1912, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

nosedive

1 of 2 noun

nose·​dive ˈnōz-ˌdīv 

1

: a downward nose-first plunge (as of an airplane)

2

: a sudden extreme drop (as in prices)

nose-dive

2 of 2 verb

nose-dived; nose-diving

: to plunge suddenly or sharply