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

The use of fine china — and of other accouterments associated with formal supper, like silverware — has been on a downward slope for over a century, and in a nosedive in recent decades. —Rukmini Callimachi, New York Times, 23 Jan. 2025

Solving that issue is easy enough, but soon, student attendance takes a nosedive as many rely on the bus while their parents make their morning commute, and the school isn’t in walking distance for everyone. —Ile-Ife Okantah, Vulture, 22 Jan. 2025

Nashville's major league pro sports teams have taken a collective nosedive to the bottom of the standings. —Nate Rau, Axios, 13 Dec. 2024

Miami’s playoff hopes took a potentially fatal nosedive while Alabama’s got a boost Tuesday night in the last rankings before the 12-team College Football Playoff bracket is set next weekend. —Jackson Thompson, Fox News, 4 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