immerse

[ih-murs]

verb (used with object)

immersed, immersing 

1. to plunge into or place under a liquid; dip; sink.

   Synonyms: douse, duck, immerge

2. to involve deeply; absorb.

   She is totally immersed in her law practice.

   Synonyms: engage

3. to baptize by immersion.

4. to embed; bury.

   Antonyms: disinter

immerse

/ ɪˈmɜːs /

verb

1. (often foll by in) to plunge or dip into liquid

2. to involve deeply; engross

   to immerse oneself in a problem

3. to baptize by immersion

Other Word Forms

• immersible adjective
• reimmerse verb (used with object)

Word History and Origins

Origin of immerse¹

First recorded in 1595–1605; from Latin immersus “plunged, sunken into,” past participle of immergere “to dip, plunge, sink into”; immerge

Word History and Origins

Origin of immerse¹

C17: from Latin immergere, from _im- (in) + mergere to dip

Synonym Study

See dip ¹.

Example Sentences

I was immersed in — or, more accurately, surrounded by — scenes from one of my favorite movies, a pivotal blockbuster whose artistic influence extends from David Lynch to Elton John to Salman Rushdie.

From Los Angeles Times

In December 2023, she immersed herself in remembering, writing and compiling a record of her life in and out of the public eye.

From Los Angeles Times

He and his staff, which will include another Kangaroos great in Gorden Tallis, have been immersing themselves in Super League to gen up.

From BBC

"We are in a golden era of storytelling, and users still want to immerse themselves in unique content," said Mr Pescatore.

From BBC

Fans’ enthusiasm about the merchandise naturally spilled over into the rest of the pop-up, designed to fully immerse customers in Oasis’ universe.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• baptize 
• bathe 
• bury 
• drench 
• drown 
• saturate 
• soak 
• steep