Dip vs. Dive — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on May 6, 2024
A dip typically involves a brief or partial immersion into a substance, like water or sauce, while a dive is a deep or sudden descent into water or another substance, often from a height.
Difference Between Dip and Dive
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Key Differences
A dip often refers to a brief or superficial immersion in a liquid or soft substance, typically for coating or moistening something. Whereas, a dive usually implies a more deliberate and deep entry, often headfirst, into water or another medium from a height.
When taking a dip, one might simply lower oneself or an object partially into water or another substance, as in dipping one’s toes in a pool or dipping a chip in salsa. On the other hand, diving requires a specific technique and is often associated with a complete and forceful plunge into water.
Dipping can be a casual and often recreational or culinary action, such as dipping into a swimming pool to cool off or dipping bread into olive oil. Diving, however, is more intense and can be both a sport and a survival skill, such as in scuba diving or competitive diving.
The physical involvement in dipping is minimal, requiring little energy or movement. Conversely, diving demands more physical effort and skill, especially in forms like competitive diving or high diving, which include acrobatics and precision.
In terms of risk, dipping carries minimal danger and is generally safe for all ages. Diving, particularly from heights or into unknown waters, involves inherent risks such as injury from improper form or unseen underwater hazards.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Brief or partial immersion
Deep or sudden descent from a height
Technique
Simple and casual
Requires specific skills and technique
Use Cases
Cooling off, culinary purposes
Sports, exploration, survival
Physical Effort
Minimal
Considerable
Risk Level
Low
Can be high depending on context
Compare with Definitions
Dip
To immerse briefly into a liquid or other substance.
He dipped his finger in the water to check the temperature.
Dive
A steep descent in an aircraft.
The pilot took a sharp dive to avoid the storm clouds.
Dip
A decline in the level or amount of something.
There was a slight dip in sales last month.
Dive
To plunge headfirst into water.
She executed a perfect dive into the pool.
Dip
A brief swim or momentary immersion in water.
We went for a quick dip in the lake.
Dive
A sudden fall in amount or value.
The company's stock took a dive after the announcement.
Dip
A sauce into which pieces of food are dipped.
She made a spicy guacamole dip for the chips.
Dive
To engage deeply into an activity or subject.
He decided to dive into studying French before his trip to Paris.
Dip
To lower and raise something quickly.
He dipped his head as he walked through the low doorway.
Dive
A disreputable or seedy bar.
They ended up at a little dive in the rough part of town.
Dip
To plunge briefly into a liquid, as in order to wet, coat, or saturate.
Dive
To plunge, especially headfirst, into water.
Dip
To color or dye by immersing
Dip Easter eggs.
Dive
To execute a dive in athletic competition.
Dip
To immerse (a sheep or other animal) in a disinfectant solution.
Dive
To participate in the sport of competitive diving.
Dip
To form (a candle) by repeatedly immersing a wick in melted wax or tallow.
Dive
To go toward the bottom of a body of water
We dove down to check the anchor.
Dip
To galvanize or plate (metal) by immersion.
Dive
To engage in the sport of scuba diving.
Dip
To scoop up by plunging the hand or a receptacle below the surface, as of a liquid; ladle
Dip water out of a bucket.
Dive
To submerge under power. Used of a submarine.
Dip
To lower and raise (a flag) in salute.
Dive
To fall head down through the air.
Dip
To lower or drop (something) suddenly
Dipped my head to avoid the branch.
Dive
To descend nose down at an acceleration usually exceeding that of free fall. Used of an airplane.
Dip
(Slang) To pick the pockets of.
Dive
To engage in the sport of skydiving.
Dip
To plunge into water or other liquid and come out quickly.
Dive
To drop sharply and rapidly; plummet
Stock prices dove 100 points in a single day of trading.
Dip
To plunge the hand or a receptacle into liquid or a container, especially so as to take something up or out
I dipped into my pocket for some coins.
Dive
To rush headlong and vanish into something
The fugitive dove into the crowd and escaped.
Dip
To withdraw a small amount from a fund
We dipped into our savings.
Dive
To plunge one's hand into something
Dove into the cookie jar.
Dip
To drop down or sink out of sight suddenly
The sun dipped below the horizon.
Dive
To lunge or leap headfirst
Dove for the loose ball.
Dip
To drop suddenly before climbing. Used of an aircraft.
Dive
To plunge into an activity or enterprise with vigor and gusto.
Dip
To slope downward; decline
The road dipped.
Dive
(Sports) To exaggerate a fall in an attempt to induce a referee to call a penalty on an opponent.
Dip
To decline slightly and usually temporarily
Sales dipped after Christmas.
Dive
To cause (an aircraft, for example) to dive.
Dip
(Geology) To lie at an angle to the horizontal plane, as a rock stratum or vein.
Dive
To go scuba-diving to or along
We dove that reef last week.
Dip
To read here and there at random; browse
Dipping into Chaucer.
Dive
A plunge into water, especially done headfirst and in a way established for athletic competition.
Dip
To investigate a subject superficially; dabble
Dipped into psychology.
Dive
The act or an instance of going under water, as of a submarine or a skin diver.
Dip
(Slang) To steal by picking pockets.
Dive
A nearly vertical descent at an accelerated speed through the air.
Dip
To place a preparation of finely shredded tobacco in one's mouth.
Dive
A rapid or abrupt decrease
Stock prices took a dive.
Dip
A brief plunge or immersion, especially a quick swim.
Dive
(Slang) A disreputable or run-down bar or nightclub.
Dip
A liquid into which something is dipped, as for dyeing or disinfecting.
Dive
A run-down residence.
Dip
A savory creamy mixture into which crackers, raw vegetables, or other foods may be dipped.
Dive
A knockout feigned by a prizefighter
The challenger took a dive.
Dip
An amount taken up by dipping.
Dive
An exaggerated fall, especially by a hockey player, intended to draw a penalty against an opponent.
Dip
A container for dipping.
Dive
A lunge or a headlong jump
Made a dive to catch the falling teacup.
Dip
A candle made by repeated dipping in tallow or wax.
Dive
(Football) An offensive play in which the carrier of the ball plunges into the opposing line in order to gain short yardage.
Dip
A downward slope; a decline.
Dive
(intransitive) To swim under water.
Dip
A sharp downward course; a drop
A dip in prices.
Dive
(intransitive) To jump into water head-first.
Dip
(Geology) The downward inclination of a rock stratum or vein in reference to the plane of the horizon.
Dive
(intransitive) To jump headfirst toward the ground or into another substance.
To dive into home plate
Dip
(Linguistics) A part of a phrase or sentence that is unstressed or less strongly stressed relative to surrounding words, as the words I and to in I have to go.
Dive
(intransitive) To descend sharply or steeply.
Dip
The unstressed portion of a metrical foot.
Dive
To undertake with enthusiasm.
She dove right in and started making improvements.
Dip
Magnetic dip.
Dive
(sports) To deliberately fall down after a challenge, imitating being fouled, in the hope of getting one's opponent penalised.
Dip
A hollow or depression.
Dive
(transitive) To cause to descend, dunk; to plunge something into water.
Dip
(Sports) A gymnastic exercise on the parallel bars in which the body is lowered by bending the elbows until the chin reaches the level of the bars and then is raised by straightening the arms.
Dive
(transitive) To explore by diving; to plunge into.
Dip
(Slang) A pickpocket.
Dive
To plunge or to go deeply into any subject, question, business, etc.; to penetrate; to explore.
Dip
(Slang) A foolish or stupid person.
Dive
A jump or plunge into water.
The dive of a hawk after prey
Dip
A preparation of finely shredded tobacco, usually placed between the lower lip and gum. Also called snuff.
Dive
A headfirst jump toward the ground or into another substance.
Dip
A lower section of a road or geological feature.
There is a dip in the road ahead.
Dive
A downward swooping motion.
Dip
Inclination downward; direction below a horizontal line; slope; pitch.
Dive
A swim under water.
Dip
The action of dipping or plunging for a moment into a liquid.
Dive
A decline.
Dip
A tank or trough where cattle or sheep are immersed in chemicals to kill parasites.
Dive
(slang) A seedy bar, nightclub, etc.
Dip
A dip stick.
Dive
(aviation) Aerial descent with the nose pointed down.
Dip
A swim, usually a short swim to refresh.
I’m going for a dip before breakfast.
Dive
(sports) A deliberate fall after a challenge.
Dip
A pickpocket.
Dive
Plural of diva
Dip
A sauce for dipping.
This onion dip is just scrumptious.
Dive
To plunge into water head foremost; to thrust the body under, or deeply into, water or other fluid.
It is not that pearls fetch a high price because men have dived for them.
All [the walruses] dove down with a tremendous splash.
When closely pressed it [the loon] dove . . . and left the young bird sitting in the water.
Dip
(geology) The angle from horizontal of a planar geologic surface, such as a fault line.
Dive
Fig.: To plunge or to go deeply into any subject, question, business, etc.; to penetrate; to explore.
Dip
(archaic) A dipped candle.
Dive
To plunge (a person or thing) into water; to dip; to duck.
Dip
(dance) A move in many different styles of partner dances, often performed at the end of a dance, in which the follower leans far to the side and is supported by the leader.
Dive
To explore by diving; to plunge into.
The Curtii bravely dived the gulf of fame.
He dives the hollow, climbs the steeps.
Dip
(bodybuilding) A gymnastic or bodybuilding exercise on parallel bars in which the performer, resting on his hands, lets his arms bend and his body sink until his chin is level with the bars, and then raises himself by straightening his arms.
Dive
A plunge headforemost into water, the act of one who dives, literally or figuratively.
Dip
(turpentine industry) The viscid exudation that is dipped out from incisions in the trees. Virgin dip is the runnings of the first year, yellow dip the runnings of subsequent years.
Dive
A place of low resort.
The music halls and dives in the lower part of the city.
Dip
(aeronautics) A sudden drop followed by a climb, usually to avoid obstacles or as the result of getting into an airhole.
Dive
A cheap disreputable nightclub or dance hall
Dip
(uncountable) The moist form of snuff tobacco.
Dive
A headlong plunge into water
Dip
The act of missing out on seeing a sought after bird.
Dive
A steep nose-down descent by an aircraft
Dip
Fried bread.
Dive
Drop steeply;
The stock market plunged
Dip
A financial asset in decline, seen as an investment opportunity.
Buy the dips
Dive
Plunge into water;
I was afraid to dive from the board into the pool
Dip
(informal) A foolish person.
Dive
Swim under water;
The children enjoyed diving and looking for shells
Dip
(informal) A diplomat.
Dip
(transitive) To lower into a liquid.
Dip your biscuit into your tea.
Dip
(intransitive) To immerse oneself; to become plunged in a liquid; to sink.
Dip
(intransitive) (of a value or rate) To decrease slightly.
Dip
(transitive) To lower a light's beam.
Dip your lights as you meet an oncoming car.
Dip
(transitive) To lower (a flag), particularly a national ensign, to a partially hoisted position in order to render or to return a salute. While lowered, the flag is said to be “at the dip.” A flag being carried on a staff may be dipped by leaning it forward at an approximate angle of 45 degrees.
The sailor rushed to the flag hoist to dip the flag in return.
Dip
(transitive) To treat cattle or sheep by immersion in chemical solution.
The farmer is going to dip the cattle today.
Dip
(transitive) To use a dip stick to check oil level in an engine.
Dip
To consume snuff by placing a pinch behind the lip or under the tongue so that the active chemical constituents of the snuff may be absorbed into the system for their narcotic effect.
Dip
(transitive) To immerse for baptism.
Dip
(transitive) To wet, as if by immersing; to moisten.
Dip
(intransitive) To plunge or engage thoroughly in any affair.
Dip
(transitive) To take out, by dipping a dipper, ladle, or other receptacle, into a fluid and removing a part; often with out.
To dip water from a boiler; to dip out water
Dip
(intransitive) To perform the action of plunging a dipper, ladle. etc. into a liquid or soft substance and removing a part.
Dip
(transitive) To engage as a pledge; to mortgage.
Dip
(transitive) To perform (a bow or curtsey) by inclining the body.
Dip
(intransitive) To incline downward from the plane of the horizon.
Strata of rock dip.
Dip
To perform a dip dance move (often phrased with the leader as the subject noun and the follower as the subject noun being dipped)
Dip
To lower the body by bending the knees while keeping the body in an upright position, as in movement to the rhythm of music.
Dip
To leave.
He dipped out of the room so fast.
Dip
To miss out on seeing a sought after bird.
Dip
To immerse for baptism; to baptize by immersion.
Dip
To wet, as if by immersing; to moisten.
A cold shuddering dewDips me all o'er.
Dip
To plunge or engage thoroughly in any affair.
He was . . . dipt in the rebellion of the Commons.
Dip
To take out, by dipping a dipper, ladle, or other receptacle, into a fluid and removing a part; - often with out; as, to dip water from a boiler; to dip out water.
Dip
To engage as a pledge; to mortgage.
Live on the use and never dip thy lands.
Dip
To immerse one's self; to become plunged in a liquid; to sink.
The sun's rim dips; the stars rush out.
Dip
To pierce; to penetrate; - followed by in or into.
When I dipt into the future.
Dip
To enter slightly or cursorily; to engage one's self desultorily or by the way; to partake limitedly; - followed by in or into.
Dip
To incline downward from the plane of the horizon; as, strata of rock dip.
Dip
To dip snuff.
Dip
The action of dipping or plunging for a moment into a liquid.
Dip
Inclination downward; direction below a horizontal line; slope; pitch.
Dip
A hollow or depression in a surface, especially in the ground.
Dip
A liquid, as a sauce or gravy, served at table with a ladle or spoon.
Dip
A dipped candle.
Dip
A gymnastic exercise on the parallel bars in which the performer, resting on his hands, lets his arms bend and his body sink until his chin is level with the bars, and then raises himself by straightening his arms.
Dip
In the turpentine industry, the viscid exudation, which is dipped out from incisions in the trees; as, virgin dip (the runnings of the first year), yellow dip (the runnings of subsequent years).
Dip
A sudden drop followed by a climb, usually to avoid obstacles or as the result of getting into an airhole.
Dip
A liquid, in which objects are soaked by dipping; e.g., a parasiticide or insecticide solution into which animals are dipped (see sheep-dip).
Dip
A sauce into which foods are dipped to enhance the flavor; e. g., an onion dip made from sour cream and dried onions, into which potato chips are dipped.
Dip
A pickpocket.
Dip
A depression in an otherwise level surface;
There was a dip in the road
Dip
(physics) the angle that a magnetic needle makes with the plane of the horizon
Dip
A thief who steals from the pockets or purses of others in public places
Dip
Tasty mixture or liquid into which bite-sized foods are dipped
Dip
A brief immersion
Dip
A sudden sharp decrease in some quantity;
A drop of 57 points on the Dow Jones index
There was a drop in pressure in the pulmonary artery
A dip in prices
When that became known the price of their stock went into free fall
Dip
A candle that is made by repeated dipping in a pool of wax or tallow
Dip
A brief swim in water
Dip
A gymnastic exercise on the parallel bars in which the body is lowered and raised by bending and straightening the arms
Dip
Immerse briefly into a liquid so as to wet, coat, or saturate;
Dip the garment into the cleaning solution
Dip the brush into the paint
Dip
Dip into a liquid while eating;
She dunked the piece of bread in the sauce
Dip
Go down momentarily;
Prices dipped
Dip
Stain an object by immersing it in a liquid
Dip
Switch (a car's headlights) from a higher to a lower beam
Dip
Lower briefly;
She dipped her knee
Dip
Appear to move downward;
The sun dipped below the horizon
The setting sun sank below the tree line
Dip
Slope downwards;
Our property dips towards the river
Dip
Dip into a liquid;
He dipped into the pool
Dip
Of candles; by dipping the wick into hot, liquid wax
Dip
Immerse in a disinfectant solution;
Dip the sheep
Dip
Scoop up by plunging one's hand or a ladle below the surface;
Dip water out of a container
Common Curiosities
What is the main purpose of a dip?
The main purpose of a dip is to briefly immerse something for moistening, cooling, or coating.
Can dipping be considered a recreational activity?
Yes, dipping can be a recreational activity, especially when referring to casual swimming or relaxing in water.
What skills are required for diving?
Skills required for diving can include swimming ability, breath control, and, in some cases, acrobatic or technical skills.
How is dipping different from soaking?
Dipping involves a quick immersion and removal, while soaking entails leaving the item in the liquid for an extended period.
What is a culinary dip?
A culinary dip is a sauce or mixture created to enhance the flavor of foods dipped into it, like chips or vegetables.
What are common types of dives in sports?
Common types of sports dives include platform diving, scuba diving, and cliff diving.
Is diving safe for everyone?
Diving can involve risks and is not safe for everyone, particularly high diving or diving in unknown waters, which require training and caution.
How does one prepare for a dive?
Preparing for a dive involves learning proper techniques, understanding safety procedures, and, in professional contexts, physical training.
What are the dangers of diving?
Dangers of diving include potential injuries from hitting water incorrectly, drowning, or encountering hazardous underwater conditions.
Can diving be done in shallow water?
Diving in shallow water is highly risky and not recommended due to the increased risk of spinal and head injuries.
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Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
