immersion
UK: ɪˈmɜːʃən | US: ɪˈmɜːrʒən
n. the act of immersing or state of being immersed
n. deep mental involvement in a particular activity or environment
n. a method of language teaching where learners are surrounded by the target language
immersion = im<in> + mers<dip> + ion<noun suffix>
- im (prefix): from Latin in-, meaning "in" or "into."
- mers (root): from Latin mersus, past participle of mergere, meaning "to dip" or "to plunge."
- ion (suffix): a noun-forming suffix indicating an action or process.
Etymology Origin:
The word immersion traces back to Latin immersio, derived from immergere ("to dip in"). The prefix im- (variant of in-) emphasizes the inward action, while mers conveys the core idea of submersion. Over time, the term evolved to describe both physical submersion (e.g., in water) and metaphorical involvement (e.g., in an activity or culture). The suffix -ion solidifies it as a noun denoting the process or state.
The immersion program helped students learn Spanish quickly by surrounding them with native speakers.
Virtual reality provides a sense of immersion that makes users feel like they’re in another world.
Baptism by immersion involves fully submerging the body in water.
Her immersion in the novel was so deep that she lost track of time.
Cultural immersion is essential for understanding local traditions and customs.