noun
Common
ditch
dihch
Ditch (noun) means a long narrow trench dug in the ground, often for drainage. Example: “The farmer dug a ditch along the field to drain the rainwater.”
noun
1
A long narrow trench dug in the ground, often for drainage.
"The farmer dug a ditch along the field to drain the rainwater."
"Frogs gathered in the muddy ditch beside the lane after the storm."
"The car skidded off the road and into a ditch."
verb
1
To abandon or get rid of something or someone.
"She ditched her boring job and started a bakery instead."
"They ditched the original plan and started over."
"He ditched his old phone for a newer model."
2
To skip school or a class without permission.
"He got into trouble for ditching maths to hang out in town."
"Don't ditch school just because you haven't finished your homework."
"A few students ditched class to go to the beach."
How to use ditch
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA dug trench, or (informally) to dump or abandon something.
Common pairings
ditch the plan
ditch class
drainage ditch
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Word forms
- Plural
- ditches
- Third person singular
- ditches
- Past tense
- ditched
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The farmer dug a _____ along the field to drain the rainwater.
Etymology
From Old English dīċ, "trench" or "moat" — the same Germanic root that gave us dike (its doublet, referring to the raised bank rather than the trench).
Related words
Rhymes for ditch
See all rhymes for ditch →Frequently asked questions
What does “ditch” mean?
The word “ditch” means a long narrow trench dug in the ground, often for drainage. In plain terms, a dug trench, or (informally) to dump or abandon something.
How do you pronounce “ditch”?
“Ditch” is pronounced dihch (/dɪt͡ʃ/ in IPA).
How do you use “ditch” in a sentence?
Here is “ditch” used in a sentence: “The car skidded off the road and into a ditch.”
What is another word for “ditch”?
Words with a similar meaning to “ditch” include abandon, discard, dump, jettison, lose and shed.
What part of speech is “ditch”?
Depending on how it is used, “ditch” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “ditch” come from?
The word “ditch” comes from Old English. From Old English dīċ, "trench" or "moat" — the same Germanic root that gave us dike (its doublet, referring to the raised bank rather than the trench).
Is “ditch” a common word?
“Ditch” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “ditch” have?
“Ditch” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a long narrow trench dug in the ground, often for drainage.
What is the difference between a ditch and a trench?
A ditch is a long, narrow trench dug in the ground, most often for draining water along roads and fields. A trench is a more general term for any long, narrow excavation, so ditches are typically shallow and made to carry water, while trenches can be deeper and dug for many purposes, such as pipes or defense.
What is the difference between ditch and dump when ending a relationship?
Both are informal ways to say you have suddenly ended a relationship. "Ditch" stresses leaving or abandoning someone, sometimes abruptly, while "dump" focuses on breaking up with a partner; they overlap closely and are often interchangeable in casual speech.
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