What does plugged mean?
“Plugged” is the past tense and past participle of “plug,” a versatile verb meaning to insert, connect, stop, fill, or secure something. Its most everyday use describes connecting a device to a power source or another component: a visitor plugs in a phone, or a technician plugs a cable into a socket. It can also mean that an opening has been stopped up, as when a pipe is plugged with material. In informal British and American English, “plugged” can describe people who have persuaded or recruited others to join a cause, campaign, or venture, as in “plugged into the project.” Although the basic verb usually refers to physical insertion or closure, the metaphorical use of involving or attracting people is established and especially common in business, media, and social contexts.
verbUsed to insert or connect a plug into a socket, or to stop, fill, or secure an opening. In informal contexts, it can also mean to persuade someone to support or become involved in something.
- Inserted or connected a plug into a socket or other fitting.
- Stopped, filled, or secured an opening or cavity.
- Persuaded someone to support or become involved in an activity, effort, or organization.
"She plugged the charger into the wall and continued watching the film."
"He plugged his headphones in before joining the call."
"The local business was plugged into the tourism campaign for the summer."
From inserting a plug into a socket to getting someone involved, “plugged” has travelled from hardware into everyday persuasive language.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does plugged come from?
The word comes from the Middle English “plugge,” which developed from an Old Dutch term meaning a peg or stopper. Its historical sense centered on a piece inserted into a hole to stop, secure, or fill it. The modern electrical sense followed once plugs and sockets became common, while later figurative uses developed from the idea of connecting or involving.
How plugged is actually used
The informal sense of persuading or involving someone is especially common in British and US English, often in phrases such as “plugged into” and “plugged for.” The word is the past tense and past participle of “plug.”
Easily confused with plugged
A plug is the removable object that fits into a socket, whereas plugged describes the action or resulting state of connecting it.