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plumb

plumb

 
 
pronunciation:
pluhm
parts of speech:
noun, adjective, verb
features:
Homophone Note, Word Explorer
part of speech: noun
definition: a small weight tied to a line. A plumb is used to measure the depth of water or to test if something is straight up and down.
similar words:
bob, sinker, weight
 
part of speech: adjective
definition: straight up and down.
The carpenter checked to make sure the wall was plumb.
similar words:
perpendicular, upright, vertical
 
part of speech: verb
inflections: plumbs, plumbing, plumbed
definition 1: to test with a plumb.
They plumbed the lake before they allowed any diving in the water.
synonyms:
sound
similar words:
gauge, measure
definition 2: to examine closely.
The detective plumbed the mystery of the missing jewels.
synonyms:
examine, explore, probe
similar words:
exhaust, fathom, investigate, scrutinize
definition 3: to fit with pipes and tubes used in plumbing.
They hired someone to plumb the cabin.
Homophone Note
The words plumb and plum sound alike but have different meanings. To learn why a plum tastes much better than a plumb, look up plum.
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