What does lunge mean?
Lunge is a forceful word for a sudden movement forward. As a verb, it describes throwing the body ahead with a long stride, reaching, or attacking: a player may lunge for the ball, while a business may lunge into a new market. As a noun, a lunge is the abrupt thrust or dash itself, and fencing uses the term for a step forward with the weapon extended. The word often conveys determination or urgency, but in an aggressive encounter it can also suggest a reckless charge. It is vivid rather than neutral, so an ordinary walk or gentle reach would not normally be called a lunge. Although the spelling invites a connection with lungs, the word has no anatomical origin: it came through French from a Latin root meaning “long,” an apt reminder that the movement involves extending the body forward. Lunge is equally natural in British and American English and is useful in sports, narrative writing, and figurative descriptions of sudden attempts to seize an opportunity.
A sudden forceful forward movement or thrust; specifically, a fencing movement in which one steps forward with the weapon extended.
"With a final lunge, the fencer touched his opponent's shield."
Usually countable and often used with “make,” “with,” or “in.” The fencing sense is a technical term.
To move suddenly and forcefully forward, especially by taking a long step or extending the body.
"The cat lunged at the bird and missed it."
The verb commonly suggests urgency or force and is readily used figuratively.
The noun is normally countable, although it can also be used without a plural to refer to the action of lunging.
"The boxer recovered from several lunges and began to regain his balance."
Despite being spelled like lungs, lunge has nothing to do with breathing; it comes from a French word rooted in the Latin word for “long.”
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does lunge come from?
The English noun and verb come from French forms associated with longer, meaning “to thrust forward,” ultimately derived from Latin longus, meaning “long.” The noun was used in the late seventeenth century for a fencing thrust, while the verb became established in the early nineteenth century for moving or thrusting suddenly forward. The Latin root survives in related English vocabulary such as longitude, prolong, and elongate.
Related word forms
How lunge is actually used
Lunge usually suggests a sudden, energetic movement that may be determined, competitive, or aggressive. It is common in British and American English and is frequently used figuratively for a sudden attempt to seize an opportunity or confront a problem.
Easily confused with lunge
A lunge is a sudden, forceful movement forward, whereas to lounge means to sit or stand in a relaxed manner.