to break up or remove earth, sand, or other material with your hands, a tool, or a machine so you can make a hole, tunnel, or space
The gardener used a shovel to dig a deep hole for the new maple tree.
On the beach, the children happily dug in the sand to build an enormous castle with towers.
✦ Old English "dīcian" meant to dig or trench; related to Middle Dutch “diken”.
to search for something by moving things aside or by putting your hand deep inside a place
She dug in her bag until she found the ringing phone.
He dug through the attic boxes looking for his old comic books.
a quick, sharp push or hit with a finger, elbow, or other pointed part of the body
He gave me a friendly dig in the ribs to get my attention.
With a quick dig of her finger, she pressed the doorbell.
(slang) to like, enjoy, or understand something
I really dig this new jazz album—it's smooth and relaxing.
Do you dig what I'm saying, or should I explain again?
✦ 1940s U.S. African-American jazz slang, probably from earlier sense “to understand” rooted in West African languages meaning “understand, appreciate.”
a clever or slightly unkind remark that is intended to criticize or make fun of someone
Her comment about his messy desk was a subtle dig at his lack of organization.
Tom couldn’t resist making a little dig about my cooking.
a place where scientists carefully remove earth to uncover and study ancient objects, bones, or buildings
The team discovered a pottery shard at the desert dig.
Volunteers can join the summer dig to help map the ancient settlement.
