plumb

noun
UK: /plʌm/
US: /plʌm/

  1. A weight attached to a line, used to find the depth of water or to test if something is vertical.

    1. The builder used a plumb bob to ensure the wall was perfectly plumb.
    2. The old mariners relied on a plumb line to determine the sea's depth in shallow waters.

  2. A tool consisting of a weight on the end of a string, used to check if something is straight up.

    1. He checked the post was plumb with a simple plumb bob.
    2. The carpenter employed a laser plumb to precisely align the cabinets.

Synonyms

investigate exactly absolutely vertical directly true upright fit explore fathom install
plumb verb

  1. To test or adjust something to ensure it is perfectly vertical.

    1. Make sure the shelf is plumb before you secure it.
    2. The construction crew plumbed the support beams to guarantee structural integrity.

  2. To explore or examine something deeply to discover the truth.

    1. The detective tried to plumb the depths of the mystery.
    2. She sought to plumb the complexities of human relationships in her novel.

  3. To fit (a building) with water pipes, drains, etc.

    1. We need to plumb the new bathroom before tiling.
    2. The contractor plumbed the entire house according to the latest building codes.
plumb adjective

  1. Exactly vertical.

    1. Is this pole plumb, or does it need adjusting?
    2. The leaning tower was not plumb, a condition contributing to its fame.
plumb adverb

  1. Exactly; directly.

    1. The stone fell plumb into the center of the circle.
    2. The arrow struck plumb in the bullseye, winning him the competition.

  2. Completely; absolutely.

    1. He was plumb crazy to jump out of that airplane.
    2. I'm plumb worn out after working in the garden all day, I need to rest.

Frequently Asked Questions

The word "plumb" in English means: A weight attached to a line, used to find the depth of water or to test if something is vertical., A tool consisting of a weight on the end of a string, used to check if something is straight up..

The phonetic transcription of "plumb" is /plʌm/ in British English and /plʌm/ in American English. Click the 🔊 button to hear both pronunciations.

Synonyms for "plumb": investigate, exactly, absolutely, vertical, directly, true, upright, fit, explore, fathom, install.

Example usage of "plumb": "The builder used a plumb bob to ensure the wall was perfectly plumb.". More examples on the page.