To lunge means to make a sudden, powerful forward movement with your body. When a fencer lunges at their opponent, they thrust one leg forward while extending their sword arm, trying to score a touch. When a soccer goalie lunges for the ball, she throws her whole body sideways to make a desperate save.

A lunge is an explosive push that commits your whole body in one direction. A cat lunges at a toy mouse. A basketball player lunges to intercept a pass. The movement has force and intention behind it.

In exercise, a lunge is also a specific strengthening movement where you step forward and lower your body by bending both knees. Athletes do lunges to build leg strength and balance. You might do twenty lunges as part of gym class or sports practice.

The word captures that moment of sudden commitment: when you lunge for something, you're going all in, throwing your weight and energy toward a single goal. Whether you're lunging to catch a falling glass or lunging forward in a game of tag, you're making a quick, decisive move that can't easily be pulled back.