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

From that point on, his production took a nosedive. —Ryan McFadden, The Denver Post, 17 Nov. 2024

Oil and gas giant BP (LON: BP) has unveiled its lowest quarterly profits since Q4 2020, when the industry's performance took a nosedive during the Covid-19 global pandemic. —Gaurav Sharma, Forbes, 29 Oct. 2024

Rite Aid’s languishing stock, meanwhile, took a nosedive when the company entered bankruptcy late last year and the New York Stock Exchange moved to delist it. —Caroline Petrow-Cohen, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2024

The success of manufacturing and industrial sites contrasts sharply with a weak Bay Area office market haunted by record-high vacancies, foreclosures and a nosedive in values. —George Avalos, The Mercury News, 31 July 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