Merriam-Webster Logo
  • Dictionary
  • Thesaurus
  • Scrabble
  • Spanish Central
  • Learner's Dictionary

out of plumb

Definition of out of plumb


  1. :  not straight upright <The chimney is out of plumb.>

Word by Word Definitions

  1. :  in a direction away from the inside or center

    :  outside

    :  from among others

  1. :  eject, oust

    :  to identify publicly as being such secretly

    :  to identify as being a closet homosexual


  1. :  situated outside :  external

    :  out-of-bounds

    :  situated at a distance :  outlying

  1. :  outside



  1. :  a lead weight attached to a line and used to indicate a vertical direction

  1. :  straight down or up :  vertically

    :  to a complete degree :  absolutely

    :  in a direct manner :  exactly

  1. :  to weight with lead

    :  to measure the depth of with a plumb

    :  to examine minutely and critically

  1. :  exactly vertical or true

    :  thorough, complete

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up out of plumb? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).