Meaning & use
plugged
Last updated
“plugged” is a form of “plug”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
adjectivecomparable
Blocked so that liquid, air, or something else cannot pass through.
Grammar: Often follows be or seem: the drain is plugged; also appears before a noun.
Patterns
- plugged with something
The sink is plugged with hair again.
A plugged filter can make the engine overheat.
His nose felt plugged after the long flight.
adjectiveafter a verb
Connected to an electrical outlet, or stuck into one.
Grammar: Usually plugged in: leave the phone plugged in overnight.
Patterns
- plugged in
- plugged into something
The lamp is plugged in behind the sofa.
Is the printer plugged into the wall?
Keep the laptop plugged in while updating.
adjectiveafter a verbinformal
Informed about what is happening, or closely connected to a group or scene.
Grammar: Informal; usually plugged in or plugged into: she is well plugged in.
Patterns
- plugged in
- plugged into something
She is well plugged in to the local music scene.
My brother stays plugged in to the latest news.
He is plugged into every office rumor.
Common combinations
- plugged in
- Make sure the kettle is plugged in.
- plugged into the wall
- The charger was plugged into the wall.
- plugged with
- The pipe was plugged with grease.
- plugged up
- My ears feel plugged up.
- plugged drain
- A plugged drain flooded the floor.
- well plugged in
- She is well plugged in to what students want.
Synonyms and how they differ
- blocked
- Blocked is the everyday word and covers any obstruction, while plugged suggests something is stuck inside the opening.
- clogged
- Clogged suggests many small bits packed together, whereas plugged can be one object.
- stopped up
- Stopped up is older and more informal than plugged.
- connected
- Connected is general and covers wireless links, while plugged in means a physical plug.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: plugged or plucked?
plugged vs plucked
Plucked means pulled off or picked, as in plucked feathers; it does not mean blocked.
Practice
The shower drain was ___ with hair, so the water would not go down.
Choose one answer.
Plugged means blocked. Cleaned, emptied and opened describe a drain that works, which contradicts the water not going down.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “plugged”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.