Plum vs. Plumb — What's the Difference?
By Maham Liaqat & Urooj Arif — Updated on April 24, 2024
Plum refers to a type of fruit, known for its sweet taste and juiciness, whereas plumb is a term related to precision in measurements or alignments in construction.
Difference Between Plum and Plumb
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
A plum is a soft, round fruit with smooth skin and a central pit, typically enjoyed for its sweet and tart flavor. In contrast, plumb is used in various contexts related to accuracy and vertical alignment, particularly in the building and construction industry.
Plums come in various colors and sizes, ranging from red to purple, and are often eaten fresh or used in cooking and baking. On the other hand, plumb is often used as an adjective, verb, or noun, indicating the exactness of a vertical or straight line, such as ensuring a wall is perfectly vertical.
Nutritionally, plums are a good source of vitamins, antioxidants, and dietary fiber, contributing to various health benefits. Whereas, the term plumb in construction and carpentry is crucial for the structural integrity and aesthetic of buildings, ensuring that elements are correctly aligned.
In horticulture, plum trees are cultivated worldwide, valued for both their fruit and ornamental qualities. Plumb, however, is a fundamental concept in plumbing and carpentry, essential for the proper installation of fixtures and construction of frames.
Plums have historical significance in many cultures, symbolizing abundance and protection, while the use of plumb tools, like the plumb bob, dates back to ancient times, illustrating its long-standing importance in architecture and construction.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
A type of fruit.
Accuracy in measurement or alignment.
Usage in Sentence
Eaten fresh or used in recipes.
Used in building and construction.
Contexts
Horticulture, culinary.
Carpentry, plumbing, construction.
Symbolism
Abundance, protection.
Precision, reliability.
Tools Related
None directly; involves cultivation.
Plumb line, plumb bob.
Compare with Definitions
Plum
A medium-sized, round fruit with sweet flesh and a flattish pointed pit.
She enjoyed a fresh plum from the orchard.
Plumb
Exactly straight down or vertical in construction.
The builder checked the wall was plumb.
Plum
An excellent or desirable thing, often a job or assignment.
He landed a plum position at the top firm.
Plumb
Completely, utterly (often used for emphasis).
He fell plumb asleep in seconds.
Plum
A color resembling the reddish-purple shade of some plums.
She chose a plum dress for the evening.
Plumb
To explore or examine something thoroughly.
The researchers plumbed the mysteries of the ocean.
Plum
Something considered an easy task or certainty.
The quiz was a plum for her after all the studying.
Plumb
To measure the depth of (something).
They plumbed the depth of the well.
Plum
Informal term for a desirable or advantageous situation.
Winning the lottery is quite the plum.
Plumb
Used to express precise alignment in various contexts.
The technician ensured the machine was set plumb.
Plum
A plum is a fruit of some species in Prunus subg. Prunus.
Plumb
Measure (the depth of a body of water)
I plumbed the depth and found the bottom of the shelf to be seven metres down
Plum
Any of several shrubs or small trees of the genus Prunus of the rose family, especially the cultivated species P. domestica and P. salicina, bearing smooth-skinned, fleshy, edible fruit with a single stone.
Plumb
Test (an upright surface) to determine the vertical
They are valuable aids in plumbing the frames and keeping the side of the ship fair
Plum
The fruit of any of these trees.
Plumb
Install an appliance such as a bath, toilet, or washing machine and connect to water and drainage pipes
He had plumbed in a second-hand washing machine
Plum
Any of several trees bearing plumlike fruit.
Plumb
A ball of lead or other heavy object attached to the end of a line for finding the depth of water or determining the vertical on an upright surface.
Plum
The fruit of such a tree.
Plumb
Exactly
Trading opportunities plumb in the centre of central Europe
Plum
A raisin, when added to a pudding or cake.
Plumb
Vertically
Drapery fell from their human forms plumb down
Plum
A sugarplum.
Plumb
Vertical
Ensure that the skirting is straight and plumb
Plum
A dark purple to deep reddish purple.
Plumb
A weight on the end of a line, used to determine water depth.
Plum
An especially desirable position, assignment, or reward
An ambassadorship granted as a political plum.
Plumb
A weight on the end of a line, used especially by masons and carpenters to establish a true vertical.
Plum
Variant of plumb.
Plumb
In a vertical or perpendicular line.
Plum
Variant of plumb.
Plumb
(Informal) Directly; squarely
Fell plumb in the middle of the puddle.
Plum
The fruit and its tree.
Plumb
Also plum(Informal) Utterly; completely
Plumb worn out. right.
Plum
An edible, fleshy stone fruit of Prunus domestica (European plum), often of a dark red or purple colour.
Plumb
Exactly vertical.
Plum
A stone-fruit tree which bears this fruit, Prunus domestica.
Plumb
Also plum(Informal) Utter; absolute; sheer
A plumb fool.
Plum
The edible, fleshy stone fruit of several species resembling the plum, or the tree from which they grow.
Plumb
To determine the depth of with a plumb; sound.
Plum
A dried grape or raisin, as used in a pudding or cake.
Plumb
To test the verticality or alignment of with a plumb.
Plum
Extended senses.
Plumb
To straighten or make perpendicular
Plumb up the wall.
Plum
One hundred thousand pounds; generally a fortune.
Plumb
To examine closely or deeply; probe
"Shallow ideas are plumbed and discarded" (Gilbert Highet).
Plum
A desirable or choice thing of its kind; a prize selection; a choice appointment, assignment etc.
The mayor rewarded his cronies with cushy plums, requiring little work for handsome pay.
Plumb
To seal with lead.
Plum
A dark bluish-red color/colour, the colour of some plums.
Plumb
To outfit with or connect to a plumbing system
Plumbed the utility closet so a washing machine could be installed.
Plum
A testicle.
Plumb
To work as a plumber.
Plum
A fool, an idiot.
Plumb
Truly vertical, as indicated by a plumb line.
Plum
(comparable) Of a dark bluish-red colour.
Plumb
(cricket) Describing an LBW where the batsman is hit on the pads directly in front of their wicket and should be given out.
Plum
(not comparable) Choice; especially lavish or preferred.
She landed a plum position as an executive for the firm.
Plumb
In a vertical direction; perpendicularly.
Plum
Plumb
Plumb
(informal) Squarely, directly; deeply, completely.
It hit him plumb in the middle of his face.
Years ago the well plumb dried out, not a drop of water in there since.
Plum
Completely; utterly.
You're going to think I'm plum crazy for this, but I want to adopt all seven kittens.
Plumb
A little mass of lead, or the like, attached to a line, and used by builders, etc., to indicate a vertical direction.
Plum
(mining) To plumb.
Plumb
(nautical) A weight on the end of a long line, used by sailors to determine the depth of water.
Plum
The edible drupaceous fruit of the Prunus domestica, and of several other species of Prunus; also, the tree itself, usually called plum tree.
The bullace, the damson, and the numerous varieties of plum, of our gardens, although growing into thornless trees, are believed to be varieties of the blackthorn, produced by long cultivation.
Plumb
The perpendicular direction or position.
Plum
A grape dried in the sun; a raisin.
Plumb
To determine the depth, generally of a liquid; to sound.
Plum
A handsome fortune or property; formerly, in cant language, the sum of £100,000 sterling; also, the person possessing it.
Plumb
To attach to a water supply and drain.
Plum
Something likened to a plum in desirableness; a good or choice thing of its kind, as among appointments, positions, parts of a book, etc.; as, the mayor rewarded his cronies with cushy plums, requiring little work for handsome pay
Plumb
To think about or explore in depth, to get to the bottom of, especially to plumb the depths of.
Plum
A color resembling that of a plum; a slightly grayish deep purple, varying somewhat in its red or blue tint.
Plumb
To use a plumb bob as a measuring or aligning tool.
Plum
Any of several trees producing edible oval smooth-skinned fruit with a single hard stone
Plumb
To accurately align vertically or horizontally.
Plum
Any of numerous varieties of small to medium-sized round or oval smooth-skinned fruit with a single pit
Plumb
(dated) To seal something with lead.
Plum
Exactly;
Fell plumb in the middle of the puddle
Plumb
(intransitive) To work as a plumber.
Plum
Completely; used as intensifiers;
Clean forgot the appointment
I'm plumb (or plum) tuckered out
Plumb
(rare) To fall or sink like a plummet.
Plumb
To trace a road or track; to follow it to its end.
Plumb
(nautical) To position vertically above or below.
Plumb
A little mass or weight of lead, or the like, attached to a line, and used by builders, etc., to indicate a vertical direction; a plummet; a plumb bob. See Plumb line, below.
Plumb
Perpendicular; vertical; conforming the direction of a line attached to a plumb; as, the wall is plumb.
Plumb
In a plumb direction; perpendicularly.
Plumb
To adjust by a plumb line; to cause to be perpendicular; as, to plumb a building or a wall.
Plumb
To sound with a plumb or plummet, as the depth of water; hence, to examine by test; to ascertain the depth, quality, dimension, etc.; to sound; to fathom; to test.
He did not attempt to plumb his intellect.
Plumb
To seal with lead; as, to plumb a drainpipe.
Plumb
To supply, as a building, with a system of plumbing.
Plumb
The metal bob of a plumb line
Plumb
Measure the depth of something
Plumb
Weight with lead
Plumb
Examine thoroughly and in great depth
Plumb
Adjust with a plumb line so as to make vertical
Plumb
Exactly vertical;
The tower of Pisa is far out of plumb
Plumb
Completely; used as intensifiers;
Clean forgot the appointment
I'm plumb (or plum) tuckered out
Plumb
Conforming to the direction of a plumb line
Plumb
Exactly;
Fell plumb in the middle of the puddle
Common Curiosities
What types of plums are there?
There are several varieties of plums, including European, Japanese, and damson.
Can plums be eaten raw?
Yes, plums can be enjoyed raw and are often praised for their juiciness and sweetness.
Are dried plums the same as prunes?
Yes, dried plums are commonly referred to as prunes.
How do you use a plumb line?
A plumb line is used by suspending it from a height to ensure vertical alignment.
What is a plumb bob used for?
A plumb bob is used to achieve a precise vertical reference line or point.
Are plums healthy?
Plums are nutritious, rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
How does using 'plumb' in a sentence show its meaning?
Using 'plumb' in a sentence often refers to exact measurements or exploring something deeply.
Why is precision important in using the term 'plumb'?
Precision is critical in construction and carpentry to ensure safety and structural integrity.
How long have plums been cultivated?
Plums have been cultivated since ancient times, with domestication dating back thousands of years.
What does 'plumb' imply in literature?
In literature, 'plumb' can imply reaching the deepest or most fundamental part of something.
What does it mean to plumb a bathroom?
To plumb a bathroom means to install and connect all the plumbing fixtures like sinks, toilets, and showers.
What dishes can you make with plums?
Plums can be used in various dishes, including pies, jams, and salads.
What are common mistakes when using 'plumb' in construction?
Common mistakes include not using a plumb line correctly, leading to misaligned structures.
Can you make beverages with plums?
Yes, plums can be used to make beverages like plum wine or plum juice.
What is the origin of the term 'plumb'?
The term originates from the Latin word 'plumbum', meaning lead, which was historically used in plumb lines.
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
