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plumb — completely; exactly vertical

Part of speech: ADVERB

Definition: completely; exactly vertical

Pronunciation (IPA): /plʌm/

Example Sentences

  • He went plumb crazy when he saw his phone bill.
  • The detective tried to plumb the criminal's motives.
  • My grandmother's apple pie is plumb delicious!

plumb

ADVERB

[/plʌm/]

completely; exactly vertical

The diver went to plumb the deepest trench of the ocean.
💡 Concept

The diver went to plumb the deepest trench of the ocean.

PLUMB(lead weight) — dropping the heavy PLUMB(lead weight) down the dark well, the explorer attempted to plumb its mysterious depth.
🧠 Mnemonic

PLUMB(lead weight) — dropping the heavy PLUMB(lead weight) down the dark well, the explorer attempted to plumb its mysterious depth.

Even though the freezing ice made his thumb go completely numb, he managed to perfectly plumb the depth of the frozen lake.
🎵 Rhyme

Even though the freezing ice made his thumb go completely numb, he managed to perfectly plumb the depth of the frozen lake.

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🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/plʌm/
🇬🇧 UK/plʌm/

🌳Etymology

Rootplumb

Origin

From Old French 'plomb' meaning lead (the metal), derived from Latin 'plumbum'. The word refers to a lead weight used on a plumb line to determine vertical alignment, making it synonymous with 'exactly vertical' or 'completely'.

Breakdown

plumb (from Latin plumbum = lead metal used in a plumb line) = a weight that hangs straight down, thus meaning 'completely vertical' or 'utterly'

🎵Rhyme

thumb
come
some
dumb

🔗Collocations

plumb the depths
plumb line
plumb bob
plumb crazy
plumb perfect
plumb vertical

📝Examples

😄 Fun example

“He went plumb crazy when he saw his phone bill.”

“The detective tried to plumb the criminal's motives.”

😄 Fun example

“My grandmother's apple pie is plumb delicious!”

“The building contractor used a plumb to ensure the walls were straight.”

📚Related Words

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