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

When Intel’s stock took a nosedive in 2024, for example, the CHIPS team had to scramble to finalize a deal with the company to secure important projects while safeguarding taxpayer money in the event of the company’s collapse. —Nikita Lalwani, Foreign Affairs, 22 May 2025

During Trump’s first presidency, enforcement of the Animal Welfare Act, the federal law that governs the welfare of animals used in research, took a nosedive. —Rachel Fobar, Vox, 14 May 2025

This suggests that core BTR activity has taken a nosedive that is more severe than what is showing up on the Census Bureau’s chart. —Brad Hunter, Forbes, 6 Mar. 2025

One big hurdle will be both consumer and business confidence, both of which have taken a nosedive recently. —Jennifer Morris, Mercury News, 21 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1912, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for nosedive

• overdrive
• alive
• archive
• arrive
• beehive
• connive
• contrive
• deprive
• derive
• revive
• survive
• dive

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