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View synonyms for dig

dig

1

[dig]

verb (used without object)

dug , digged, digging .
  1. to break up, turn over, or remove earth, sand, etc., as with a shovel, spade, bulldozer, or claw; make an excavation.

  2. to make one's way or work by or as by removing or turning over material.

    to dig through the files.



verb (used with object)

dug , digged, digging .
  1. to break up, turn over, or loosen (earth, sand, etc.), as with a shovel, spade, or bulldozer (often followed byup ).

  2. to form or excavate (a hole, tunnel, etc.) by removing material.

  3. to unearth, obtain, or remove by digging (often followed by up orout ).

  4. to find or discover by effort or search.

  5. to poke, thrust, or force (usually followed by in orinto ).

    He dug his heel into the ground.

noun

  1. thrust; poke.

    He gave me a dig in the ribs with his elbow.

  2. a cutting, sarcastic remark.

  3. an archaeological site undergoing excavation.

  4. Informal.,  digs, living quarters; lodgings.

verb phrase

  1. dig up

    1. to discover in the course of digging.

    2. to locate; find.

      to dig up information.

  2. dig into,  to attack, work, or apply oneself voraciously, vigorously, or energetically: to dig into a meal.

    to dig into one's work;

    to dig into a meal.

  3. dig in

    1. to dig trenches, as in order to defend a position in battle.

    2. to maintain one's opinion or position.

    3. to start eating.

  4. dig out

    1. to remove earth or debris from by digging.

    2. to hollow out by digging.

    3. to find by searching.

      to dig out facts for a term paper.

dig

2

[dig]

verb (used with object)

Slang.
dug, digging 
  1. to understand.

    Can you dig what I'm saying?

  2. to take notice of.

    Dig those shoes he's wearing.

  3. to like, love, or enjoy.

    She digs that kind of music. We really dig each other.

dig.

3

abbreviation

  1. digest.

dig

1

/ dɪɡ /

verb

  1. to cut into, break up, and turn over or remove (earth, soil, etc), esp with a spade

  2. to form or excavate (a hole, tunnel, passage, etc) by digging, usually with an implement or (of animals) with feet, claws, etc

    to dig a tunnel

  3. (often foll by through) to make or force (one's way), esp by removing obstructions

    he dug his way through the crowd

  4. (tr; often foll by out or up) to obtain by digging

    to dig potatoes

    to dig up treasure

  5. (tr; often foll by out or up) to find or discover by effort or searching

    to dig out unexpected facts

  6. (tr; foll by in or into) to thrust or jab (a sharp instrument, weapon, etc); poke

    he dug his spurs into the horse's side

  7. (tr; foll by in or into) to mix (compost, etc) with soil by digging

  8. informal,  (tr) to like, understand, or appreciate

  9. slang,  (intr) to work hard, esp for an examination

  10. informal,  (intr) to have lodgings

    I dig in South London

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

noun

  1. the act of digging

  2. a thrust or poke, esp in the ribs

  3. a cutting or sarcastic remark

  4. informal,  an archaeological excavation

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Dig

2

/ dɪɡ /

noun

  1. informal,  short for Digger

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Word History and Origins

Origin of dig1

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English diggen, deggen; perhaps from Middle French diguer “to dig,” from the same Germanic source as ditch ( def. )

Origin of dig2

First recorded in 1935–40; origin uncertain; perhaps the same as dig 1 ( def. )
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Word History and Origins

Origin of dig1

C13 diggen, of uncertain origin
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Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The inmates clear brush and dig containment lines, but don’t wield hoses.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

When confronted with a client’s misguided expectations, Sprung digs to determine how those expectations came about.

Read more on MarketWatch

In one way or another, “digging” has marked Kurata’s creative livelihood.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Hewlett had detected metal buried inside some gravel—digging it up, he found a chunk of gold about half the size of his pinkie fingernail.

Holding a shovel, he said he was digging his own grave.

Read more on Barron's

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