dig (dɪɡ
)
Definitions
verb
Word forms: digs, digging, dug
- 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
noun
- the act of digging
- a thrust or poke, esp in the ribs
- a cutting or sarcastic remark
- informal an archaeological excavation
Word Origin
C13 diggen, of uncertain originTranslations
- British English:
dig
When people or animals dig, they make a hole in the ground or in a pile of stones or debris.He dug a hole in the lawn. Rescue workers are digging through the rubble in search of other victims.dɪɡ VERB He dug a hole in the lawn. Rescue workers are digging through the rubble in search of other victims.
- Spanish:
cavar
v
- French:
creuser
vt
- German:
graben
v
- Chinese: 挖 vt
- Arabic: يَحْفِرُ vt
- Portuguese: cavar vt
- Russian: копать vt
- Croatian: kopati v
- Czech: vykopat vt kopat
- Danish: grave v
- Dutch: graven vt
- Finnish: kaivaa v
- Greek: σκάβω v
- Italian: scavare v
- Japanese: 掘る v
- Korean: (...을) 파다 vt
- Norwegian: grave v
- Polish: kopnąć vt kopać
- Brazilian Portuguese: cavar vt
- European Spanish:
cavar
v
- Swedish: gräva vt
- Thai: ขุด vt
- Turkish: kazmak vt
- Vietnamese: đào v
Usage examples
The little boy began to dig into the sandy earth with his spade.
, Desperadoes (1994)gov Digging in Martian dirt Two men have come to Antarctica to dig.
New Scientist (1999)PG THE TUNNEL *** Set in 1961, defectors dig a tunnel under the Berlin Wall, from West to East.
Globe and Mail (2003)Learn more about Scotland's rich archeological heritage and piece together our past as you dig around for clues.
Glasgow Herald (2001)You could offer to dig someone's garden, do their market shopping for them, or take the dogs for a walk.
, Life Without Work (1994)