dig
1to break up, turn over, or remove earth, sand, etc., as with a shovel, spade, bulldozer, or claw; make an excavation.
to make one's way or work by or as by removing or turning over material: to dig through the files.
to break up, turn over, or loosen (earth, sand, etc.), as with a shovel, spade, or bulldozer (often followed by up).
to form or excavate (a hole, tunnel, etc.) by removing material.
to unearth, obtain, or remove by digging (often followed by up or out).
to find or discover by effort or search.
to poke, thrust, or force (usually followed by in or into): He dug his heel into the ground.
an archaeological site undergoing excavation.
digs, Informal. living quarters; lodgings.
dig in,
to dig trenches, as in order to defend a position in battle.
to maintain one's opinion or position.
to start eating.
dig into, Informal. to attack, work, or apply oneself voraciously, vigorously, or energetically: to dig into one's work;to dig into a meal.
dig out,
to remove earth or debris from by digging.
to hollow out by digging.
to find by searching: to dig out facts for a term paper.
dig up,
to discover in the course of digging.
to locate; find: to dig up information.
Origin of dig
1Other definitions for dig (2 of 3)
to understand: Can you dig what I'm saying?
to take notice of: Dig those shoes he's wearing.
to like, love, or enjoy: She digs that kind of music. We really dig each other.
Origin of dig
2Other definitions for dig. (3 of 3)
digest.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use dig in a sentence
Isaacs recently returned from the New Mexico desert after shooting interior scenes for a new TV mini-series called dig.
Over the next 36 years, he would dig a 2,087-foot tunnel that led absolutely nowhere.
For a few hours every day she would read big books at the library, watch reruns of the show, and dig through questions in the J!
Jeopardy! Champion Julia Collins’s Brain Feels Like Mush | Sujay Kumar | November 20, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTThis gave the Germans time to stabilize and dig in on the “hedgerow front” before St. Lô.
Blood in the Sand: When James Jones Wrote a Grunt’s View of D-Day | James Jones | November 15, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTWhen I was young, I loved to dig and find and collect fossils.
And if he was worried about Farmer Green's cat, why didn't he dig a hole for himself at once, and get out of harm's way?
The Tale of Grandfather Mole | Arthur Scott BaileyWhen a besieged city suspects a mine, do not the inhabitants dig underground, and meet their enemy at his work?
The Pastor's Fire-side Vol. 3 of 4 | Jane PorterHalf-fed men would dig for diamonds, and men sheltered by a crazy roof erect the marble walls of palaces.
The Unsolved Riddle of Social Justice | Stephen LeacockThere was only one reason why Billy Woodchuck didn't exactly care to dig a new home for himself in the pasture just then.
The Tale of Grandfather Mole | Arthur Scott BaileyThey do not have to plow or dig, or perform any other cultivation than that of clearing the land where they are to plant.
British Dictionary definitions for dig (1 of 2)
/ (dɪɡ) /
(when tr, often foll by up) to cut into, break up, and turn over or remove (earth, soil, etc), esp with a spade
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
(often foll by through) to make or force (one's way), esp by removing obstructions: he dug his way through the crowd
(tr; often foll by out or up) to obtain by digging: to dig potatoes; to dig up treasure
(tr; often foll by out or up) to find or discover by effort or searching: to dig out unexpected facts
(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
(tr; foll by in or into) to mix (compost, etc) with soil by digging
(tr) informal to like, understand, or appreciate
(intr) US slang to work hard, esp for an examination
(intr) British informal to have lodgings: I dig in South London
the act of digging
a thrust or poke, esp in the ribs
a cutting or sarcastic remark
informal an archaeological excavation
Origin of dig
1British Dictionary definitions for Dig (2 of 2)
/ (dɪɡ) /
NZ informal short for Digger (def. 1)
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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