What does "lunge" mean?
A sudden forward movement, especially with a sword.
Lunge
/lʌnd͡ʒ/ noun, verb
noun, verb ·Moderate ·High school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: A sudden forward movement, especially with a sword.
- Grammar: lunge is listed as noun, verb.
- Nearest alternatives: amble, attack, barge, bound.
- Useful contrasts: recoil, retreat, withdraw.
- Usage evidence: At length, in a desperate lunge, which he followed with an attempt to close, Bucklaw's foot slipped, and he fell on the short grassy turf on which they were fighting.
How to use "lunge"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "lunge" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "lunge" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "lunge" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "lunge" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "lunge" is acting as noun, verb in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "amble" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "lunge", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 A sudden forward movement, especially with a sword.
"A moment of madness from double goalscorer Kalinic put Rovers' fate back in the balance when the Croat caught Scharner with a late, dangerous lunge and was shown a straight red card by referee Phil Dowd."
- 2 the act of moving forward suddenly wordnet
- 3 A long rope or flat web line, more commonly referred to as a lunge line, approximately 20–30 feet long, attached to the bridle, lungeing cavesson, or halter of a horse and used to control the animal while lungeing.
- 4 (fencing) an attacking thrust made with one foot forward and the back leg straight and with the sword arm outstretched forward wordnet
- 5 An exercise performed by stepping forward one leg while kneeling with the other leg, then returning to a standing position.
Show 1 more definition
- 6 A fish, the namaycush.
Verb
- 1 To (cause to) make a sudden forward movement (present participle: lunging). ambitransitive
"I lunged at the police officer and made a grab for her gun."
- 2 make a thrusting forward movement wordnet
- 3 To longe or work a horse in a circle around a handler (present participle: lunging or lungeing). transitive
Antonyms
Example
"At length, in a desperate lunge, which he followed with an attempt to close, Bucklaw's foot slipped, and he fell on the short grassy turf on which they were fighting."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "lunge"?
Common synonyms include: amble, attack, barge, bound, bowl along, bundle.
How do you use "lunge" in a sentence?
At length, in a desperate lunge, which he followed with an attempt to close, Bucklaw's foot slipped, and he fell on the short grassy turf on which they were fighting.
How do you pronounce "lunge"?
Pronounced /lʌnd͡ʒ/.
Etymology
From French allonge, from Old French alonge, from alongier, from Vulgar Latin *allongare, from ad + Late Latin longare, from Latin longus. Doublet of allonge.