adverb
plumb
Completely, used to add emphasis.
After a full day of hiking, I'm plumb exhausted.
Etymology
The lead weight of a plumb line supplied the idea of exact alignment. The adverb broadened from exactly or directly to completely, as an emphatic intensifier.
More examples
- That excuse sounds plumb ridiculous.
- I plumb forgot to bring my keys.
- We're plumb out of milk.
Similar words
- completely
- Expresses total degree without plumb's informal, folksy tone.
- utterly
- Adds strong emphasis without sounding as folksy as plumb.
- downright
- Emphasizes blunt judgments rather than simply total degree.