dives

Dives is the plural form of the noun dive and can refer to several distinct concepts depending on the context. In sports and recreation, a dive is an action in which a person enters the water headfirst from a platform or springboard. In competitive diving, athletes perform specific dives that are judged for technique, form, entry, and degree of difficulty. Divers may execute forward, backward, reverse, inward, and twisting dives from platforms or springboards at heights such as 1 to 10 meters, with scores combined to determine results.

In everyday usage, dives also refers to low-quality or unpretentious drinking establishments, commonly called dive bars. A dive or dives can describe venues that are inexpensive, sparsely furnished, and casual, often located in modest neighborhoods. The term is usually neutral or mildly affectionate, though it can carry a negative connotation depending on cleanliness, safety, or reputation.

Beyond these, dive as a verb has several broad meanings that can give rise to phrases like “to dive into something” (to begin studying or examining something eagerly) or “to dive into the water” (to plunge headfirst). In contexts such as sports, filmmaking, or exploration, the plural form dives appears when referring to multiple instances of such actions or events.

Overall, dives encompasses both a specific athletic activity and a common slang term, with its meaning determined by the surrounding subject matter.