dig
dig
Pronunciation
/dɪɡ/.
dig:
/d/ - voiced alveolar plosive
/ɪ/ - near-close near-front unrounded vowel
/ɡ/ - voiced velar plosive
Word Form Variations
As a Verb:
Base Form/Infinitive: dig (e.g., "to dig a hole")
Third-person singular present: digs (e.g., "He digs in the garden every morning.")
Past Tense: dug (e.g., "They dug a deep trench.")
Past Participle: dug (e.g., "The treasure was dug up.")
Note: While "digged" exists as an archaic or non-standard past tense/participle, "dug" is the universally accepted and common form.
Present Participle/Gerund: digging (e.g., "They are digging for gold." or "Digging is hard work.")
As a Noun:
Singular: dig (e.g., "He gave me a sharp dig in the ribs." or "It was an interesting archaeological dig.")
Plural: digs (e.g., "She made several digs at him." or "These are my new digs [informal, meaning living quarters].")
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Verb
To break up and move earth, sand, or other material, typically with a tool or the hands, in order to create a hole or remove something.
Synonyms: excavate, burrow, mine, tunnel, delve
Antonyms: fill, bury (in the sense of covering up a hole), level
To unearth or discover something by digging.
Synonyms: unearth, uncover, reveal, extract, retrieve
Antonyms: hide, conceal, inter, bury
To thrust or poke sharply; to give a sudden, often uncomfortable, push or jab.
Synonyms: poke, prod, jab, nudge, thrust
Antonyms: withdraw, retract, caress, stroke
(Informal) To understand, appreciate, or like something very much.
Synonyms: grasp, comprehend, apprehend, appreciate, enjoy, like, groove (slang)
Antonyms: misunderstand, dislike, abhor, detest
(Informal) To work hard or apply oneself diligently, often in an academic or intellectual pursuit.
Synonyms: study, research, delve (into), immerse (oneself), toil
Antonyms: neglect, skim, ignore, relax
Noun
An act or instance of digging; a place where something has been dug.
Synonyms: excavation, pit, trench, hole, burrow
Antonyms: mound, hill, bump (in the context of a raised area)
A sharp, often critical or sarcastic, remark; a taunt or a jibe.
Synonyms: jibe, taunt, barb, sarcasm, insult (if severe)
Antonyms: compliment, praise, flattery, commendation
(Informal, plural "digs") A person's lodgings or living quarters.
Synonyms: lodgings, abode, dwelling, residence, accommodation, pad (slang)
Antonyms: (No direct antonyms for "living quarters," as it describes a type of place.)
(Informal) A feeling of understanding or appreciation; something that is appealing or enjoyable.
Synonyms: thrill, kick (informal), pleasure, joy
Antonyms: bore, drag (informal), disappointment, letdown
Examples of Use
Books:
"He had spent his whole life trying to dig his way out of poverty." (From a novel discussing socioeconomic struggles)
"The archaeologists continued their painstaking dig at the ancient burial site, hoping to uncover new artifacts." (From a non-fiction book about archaeology)
Newspapers:
"Construction crews will dig a new foundation for the high-rise building starting next month."
"During the political debate, the candidate made a subtle dig at her opponent's voting record."
Online Publications:
"Gen Z will dig this new streaming service's selection of retro cartoons."
"Researchers continue to dig into the data to understand the long-term effects of climate change."
"I'm really starting to dig the new sound of this indie band's latest album."
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Film Dialogue: "You really dig that old music, don't you, Grandpa?" (From a family drama film)
Song Lyrics: "We've got to dig deep, find the strength within." (From a popular motivational song)
Podcast: "In this episode, we dig into the history of artificial intelligence and its potential future." (From a technology podcast)
Video Game: (On-screen prompt) "Press X to dig for treasure." (From an adventure video game)
Social Media: "Just finished setting up my new digs! So much unpacking still to do." (From a user's post on Instagram, June 2025)
General Public Discourse:
"Can you help me dig these weeds out of the garden?" (A neighbor asking for help)
"That comment was a bit of a dig, don't you think?" (Two friends discussing a third person's remark)
"I really dig your new haircut!" (A casual compliment between acquaintances)
"They had to dig their car out of the snowdrift after the blizzard." (A person recounting a recent experience)
10 Quotes Using Dig
"The past is like a foreign country; they dig things differently there." (L.P. Hartley, The Go-Between)
"Every great author is a great artist. He is trying to dig something out of the heart of the world and put it on paper." (H.L. Mencken)
"Before you dig a hole, you'd better decide how deep you want to dig it." (Chinese Proverb)
"You don't have to dig deep to find the truth; it's usually staring you in the face." (Unknown)
"I dig science fiction and I dig the future." (Steven Spielberg)
"We must dig the well before we are thirsty." (Socrates)
"I dig into the past, I dig into the future." (Jean-Luc Godard)
"When you are in a hole, stop digging." (Denis Healey)
"You gotta dig it to dig it, you know?" (Miles Davis)
"If you want to dig a hole, you've got to make some dirt." (George C. Scott)
Etymology
The word "dig" has a pretty straightforward and ancient origin, primarily revolving around the idea of moving earth.
Its roots trace back to Old English, where the word was "dician." This word meant "to make a ditch" or "to build a dike." Think of it as shaping the ground, either to create a trench or to build up a barrier.
However, the "g" sound and the meaning of excavating something out of the ground actually came to English from a different source: Old French (and ultimately from Germanic languages). The Old French word was "diguer," which meant "to dig," "to make a dike," or "to fortify with a dike."
So, the modern "dig" is a bit of a blend. The "d-" and "-ig" sounds and the core meaning of excavating really solidified with the influence of Old French in the Middle English period.
The first known use of "dig" with its modern sense of "to make a hole in the ground by removing earth" appeared in English around the late 13th or early 14th century. Before that, as mentioned, "dician" focused more on making ditches or dikes. The shift brought in the more general idea of breaking up and moving soil.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Dig
Here's a list of phrases and idioms using "dig":
Dig in: To start eating, or to begin a task with determination.
Dig out: To remove something by digging, or to find something after a long search.
Dig up: To unearth something, often information; to discover.
Dig deep: To make a great effort, often to find inner strength or resources.
Dig into: To investigate thoroughly, or to consume food heartily.
Dig one's heels in: To refuse to change one's mind or position; to be stubborn.
Dig one's own grave: To do something that will cause one's own downfall.
Get a dig in: To make a sarcastic or critical remark.
Take a dig at (someone): To criticize or make fun of someone, often subtly.
What's the big dig? (Less common, informal) What's the main point or issue?
Dig on (something/someone): (Slang, older usage) To appreciate or like something/someone.
Dig for victory: (Historical, WWII) To grow your own food, often in a garden.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of dig from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
