plonk: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Informal, colloquial
Quick answer
What does “plonk” mean?
To put something down heavily or carelessly.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To put something down heavily or carelessly; also cheap wine.
As a verb: to set down unceremoniously; to drop. As a noun: inexpensive, low-quality wine, often sold in large bottles or boxes. Also used as an onomatopoeic word for a dull, hollow sound.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The noun sense for cheap wine is far more common and established in British English. The verb sense is understood in both, but may be less frequent in American English.
Connotations
In the UK, 'plonk' for wine is a well-known, almost affectionate term for cheap table wine. In the US, it is less common and may sound distinctly British.
Frequency
High frequency in UK informal speech for wine; medium-low frequency in US, where terms like 'cheap wine' or 'rotgut' are more typical.
Grammar
How to Use “plonk” in a Sentence
plonk something down/on somethingplonk oneself downVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “plonk” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- He just plonked the shopping bags on the floor.
- After work, she plonked herself in front of the telly.
American English
- He plonked his suitcase by the door, exhausted.
- The kid plonked the toy into the box.
adverb
British English
- (Rare as adverb) He sat down plonk in the middle of the sofa.
American English
- (Rare as adverb) The book fell plonk onto the carpet.
adjective
British English
- It was a plonk wine kind of party.
- He has a plonk attitude towards his work.
American English
- (Rare as adjective) They served some plonk-quality champagne.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except perhaps in very informal discussions about corporate hospitality budgets.
Academic
Virtually never used.
Everyday
Common in informal UK contexts for discussing inexpensive wine or describing an action.
Technical
Not used.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “plonk”
- Using 'plonk' in formal writing.
- Overusing the verb in American contexts where it may sound odd.
- Spelling as 'plonck'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is informal and sometimes humorous, but not rude or offensive.
Yes, it is understood, but it is less common and may sound like a Britishism to some Americans.
It is widely believed to originate from Australian slang 'plink-plonk', a corruption of the French 'vin blanc' (white wine), used by soldiers in WWI.
More formal alternatives include 'to deposit', 'to set down', or simply 'to put'.
To put something down heavily or carelessly.
Plonk: in British English it is pronounced /plɒŋk/, and in American English it is pronounced /plɑːŋk/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “plonk money down (to pay for something immediately)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of the sound 'PLONK' a heavy bottle of cheap wine makes when you put it on the table.
Conceptual Metaphor
CHEAP WINE IS A HEAVY, WORTHLESS OBJECT (you 'plonk' it down).
Practice
Quiz
In which variety of English is 'plonk' MOST commonly used to mean 'cheap wine'?