Plumb Meaning in English

word

US

UK

Definition

'Plumb' means to measure the depth of something (often water), to make sure something is perfectly vertical, or, informally, to describe something as completely or absolutely.

Usage & Nuances

Formal when used in construction (plumbing, measurements); informal as an adverb meaning 'completely' ('plumb crazy'). 'Plumb line' and 'plumb bob' are tools to check verticality. Not to confuse with 'plumber' (the job).

• Spanish: sondear - a plomo (vertical) - plomada (herramienta)
• Portuguese (BR): avaliar (profundidade) - prumo (ferramenta) - totalmente (coloq.)
• Portuguese (PT): avaliar (profundidade) - prumo (ferramenta) - totalmente (coloq.)
• Chinese (Simplified): 测深 - 垂直的 - 铅锤 (工具)
• Chinese (Traditional): 測深 - 垂直的 - 鉛錘 (工具)
• Hindi: गहराई नापना - सीधा (ऊर्ध्वाधर) - प्लंब बॉल (औजार)
• Arabic: يقيس العمق - رأسي - ميزان الرصاص (أداة)
• Bengali: নাপা - একেবারে (আলঙ্কারিক অর্থে)
• Russian: отвес - идеально вертикальный - совершенно (разг.)
• Japanese: 下げ振り - 完全に（俗語）
• Vietnamese: dây dọi - thẳng đứng - hoàn toàn (khẩu ngữ)
• Korean: 연추 - 수직의 - 완전히 (구어적)
• Turkish: çekül - büsbütün (samimi kullanım)
• Urdu: ساقہ - بالکل (غیر رسمی طور پر)
• Indonesian: bandul ukur - benar-benar (informal)

Example Sentences

The diver used a plumb to measure the lake's depth.

basic

Wow, that storm was plumb terrifying!

natural

Make sure the wall is plumb before you fix it.

basic

He dropped a plumb line to check the building's angle.

basic

This door isn’t hanging plumb; it needs adjustment.

natural

She tried to plumb the mysteries of his mind.

natural