plonk

1 of 2

verb

ˈpläŋk How to pronounce plonk (audio)
ˈplȯŋk

variant of plunk

transitive verb

1
: to pluck or hit so as to produce a quick, hollow, metallic, or harsh sound
2
: to set down suddenly : plump

intransitive verb

1
: to make a plunking sound
2
: to drop abruptly : dive
3
: to come out in favor of someone or something : plump
—used with for

plonk

2 of 2

noun

ˈpläŋk How to pronounce plonk (audio)
ˈplȯŋk
chiefly British
: cheap or inferior wine

Examples of plonk in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
The bottoms are basically Molly’s baseball cap, which looks like a dome with a bill just plonked onto it, and Shannon’s wings, which the judges say are just a gingerbread cookie with some icing on it. — Brian Moylan, Vulture, 9 Oct. 2026 The neighborhood/area A mile and a half away lies the pretty village of Lyndhurst, with its tourist-coaxing fudge shops and pubs, and a Ferrari dealer plonked incongruously among the red brick and timber quaintness. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
Noun
Pauline is extraordinarily tolerant of Garance’s drinking, which escalates under lockdown to two boxes of cheap plonk a night. — Damon Wise, Deadline, 18 May 2026 Many wine drinkers’ lone reference point for Beaujolais is the barely drinkable plonk that arrives on our shores around Thanksgiving every year. — Jeremy Repanich, Robb Report, 12 May 2024 See All Example Sentences for plonk

Word History

Etymology

Noun

short for earlier plink-plonk, perhaps modification of French vin blanc white wine

First Known Use

Noun

1933, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of plonk was in 1933

Phrases Containing plonk

Browse Nearby Words

ploiter
plonk
plonk down
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Plonk.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/plonk. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

plonk

variant of plunk

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