Plasmonic metal nanoparticles attract intense research attention because of their fascinating surface plasmon resonance properties and their potential applications in diverse fields. Here, some of the recent research efforts on the synthesis and applications of plasmonic metal nanoparticles are highlighted. Starting from the colloidal synthesis of metal nanoparticles, various shaped silver and gold nanostructures are discussed. The applications of plasmonic nanoparticles in photocatalysis, surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS), and devices are used as excellent examples showcasing the advantages of these nanoparticles. The report closes with a brief summary and discussion on the challenges and future direction in this research field.