plumb
word
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