dig
dihg
Dig (verb) means to move earth aside, typically with a tool, in order to make a hole. Example: “They dug a hole in the backyard to plant a tree.”
verb
1
To move earth aside, typically with a tool, in order to make a hole.
"They dug a hole in the backyard to plant a tree."
"Archaeologists dug carefully through the layers of soil."
2
To search for information; to investigate.
"If you dig a little deeper, you will find the real cause of the delay."
"The auditor had to dig through years of records to find the error."
"Reporters dug into his business dealings for months."
3
(informal) To like or appreciate something.
"My grandad still digs old jazz records and plays them every evening."
"Do you dig this kind of music, or is it too loud?"
"I really dig this new song."
noun
1
A site where an archaeological excavation is taking place.
"Volunteers worked at the dig all week, brushing dust off ancient pottery."
"The museum shared photos from the dig on its website."
"The team spent the summer at a dig in southern Italy."
2
A sarcastic or critical remark aimed at someone.
"His joke about my cooking was a clear dig."
"Every time we met, she made a small dig about his late arrivals."
"She couldn’t resist taking a dig at her rival’s outfit."
How to use dig
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo make a hole in the ground, to search hard for facts, or (casually) to like something.
Common pairings
dig a hole
dig for answers
take a dig at
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Word forms
- Plural
- digs
- Third person singular
- digs
- Past tense
- dug, digged
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
If you _____ a little deeper, you will find the real cause of the delay.
Etymology
From Middle English diggen, related to Old English dician, "to dig a ditch" — the same root that gave us dyke/dike.
Synonyms
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Frequently asked questions
What does “dig” mean?
The word “dig” means to move earth aside, typically with a tool, in order to make a hole. In plain terms, to make a hole in the ground, to search hard for facts, or (casually) to like something.
How do you pronounce “dig”?
“Dig” is pronounced dihg (/dɪɡ/ in IPA).
How do you use “dig” in a sentence?
Here is “dig” used in a sentence: “I really dig this new song.”
What part of speech is “dig”?
Depending on how it is used, “dig” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “dig” come from?
The word “dig” comes from Old English. From Middle English diggen, related to Old English dician, "to dig a ditch" — the same root that gave us dyke/dike.
Is “dig” a common word?
“Dig” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “dig” have?
“Dig” has 5 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to move earth aside, typically with a tool, in order to make a hole.
What is the difference between "dig" and "excavate"?
Both mean to move earth to make a hole, but "dig" is the everyday word, while "excavate" is more formal and technical, often used for archaeology or large construction. Archaeologists excavate a site, but a gardener digs a hole.
What is the past tense of "dig"?
The past tense and past participle of "dig" is "dug," not "digged." For example, "they dug a trench" and "the tunnel was dug by hand."
What are common phrases using "dig"?
Common expressions include "dig up" (uncover), "dig in" (start eating or hold a position), "dig into" (investigate), and "dig yourself into a hole" (make a situation worse). Many rely on the idea of digging to reveal or entrench.
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