Dictionary.com

Popular Searches

 Thesaurus.com
Synonyms

lunge

1 American  
[luhnj] / lʌndʒ /

noun

  1. a sudden forward thrust, as with a sword or knife; stab.

  2. any sudden forward movement; plunge.

    Synonyms:
    lurch, charge, rush

verb (used without object)

lunged, lunging

  1. to make a lunge or thrust; move with a lunge.

verb (used with object)

lunged, lunging

  1. to thrust (something) forward; cause to move with a lunge.

    lunging his finger accusingly.
lunge 2 American  
[luhnj] / lʌndʒ /

noun

lunged, lunging

  1. longe.

lunge 1 British  
/ lʌndʒ /

noun

  1. a sudden forward motion

  2. fencing a thrust made by advancing the front foot and straightening the back leg, extending the sword arm forwards

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

verb

  1. to move or cause to move with a lunge

  2. (intr) fencing to make a lunge

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
lunge 2 British  
/ lʌndʒ /

noun

  1. a rope used in training or exercising a horse

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

verb

  1. (tr) to exercise or train (a horse) on a lunge

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • lunger noun

Etymology

Origin of lunge1

1725–35; earlier longe for French allonge (noun; construed as a longe ), allonger (v.) to lengthen, extend, deliver (blows) < Vulgar Latin *allongāre, for Late Latin ēlongāre to elongate

Origin of lunge2

Variant of longe < French; longe, lune 2

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The company, founded in 1948, is known for its emblematic sneakers such as the Speedcat and its lunging feline logo, and makes athletic wear, accessories and equipment.

From Los Angeles Times

As he reached the frozen shore, he lunged forward headfirst, his belly making slippery contact with the flat, smooth ice.

From Literature

He lunged and let out one of his famous catch-a-rabbit bawls.

From Literature

And Rowan, screaming, watched as the back of the cave came to life, opened its blood-red eyes, and lunged for him, shaking snow and ice from its shining white scales, baring its dripping teeth.

From Literature

He lunged for The Way to Rio Luna, but the man was too tall and held the copy up in the air.

From Literature

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.