Definition of dig
(Entry 1 of 3)
1a
: to break up, turn, or loosen (earth) with an implement
digging dirt with a shovel machines digging up the road
b
: to prepare the soil of
dig a garden
2a
: to bring to the surface by digging : unearth
dig potatoes
b
: to bring to light or out of hiding
dig up facts
3
: to hollow out or form by removing earth : excavate
dig a hole dig a tunnel
6
slang
a
: to pay attention to : notice
dig that fancy hat
b
: understand, appreciate
couldn't dig the medical jargon
1
: to turn up, loosen, or remove earth
digging in the garden dig for buried treasure
2
: to work hard or laboriously
3
: to advance by or as if by removing or pushing aside material
digging into the history of the company
dig
nounDefinition of dig (Entry 2 of 3)
2
digs plural
a
: accommodations (see accommodation sense 1a) for living or working
buying furniture for his new digs
dig
abbreviationDefinition of dig (Entry 3 of 3)
digest
Test Your Vocabulary
Commonly Confused Words Quiz
-
- I went to the ______ store to buy a birthday card.

Test your vocabulary with our 10-question quiz!
TAKE THE QUIZ
A daily challenge for crossword fanatics.
TAKE THE QUIZLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share dig
Time Traveler for dig
The first known use of dig was in the 13th century
See more words from the same century