Digging: meaning, definitions and examples

Used to refer to the general act of breaking and moving the soil, usually with a tool. Commonly mentioned in gardening, construction, and archaeological contexts.

• She spent the afternoon digging in her garden; The workers were digging a hole for the foundation

Typically refers to a more formal or large-scale process of digging, often in archaeology or construction. Implies careful and systematic removal of earth.

• The excavation of the ancient city revealed many artifacts; The construction of the new building required extensive excavation

Refers to the act of moving or lifting material with a shovel, often snow, dirt, or coal. Emphasizes the tool and the manual labor involved.

• He was shoveling snow from the driveway; They spent hours shoveling dirt to clear the path

Implies discovering or bringing something hidden to light, often used in contexts involving archaeology or uncovering something unknown or forgotten.

• The team worked on unearthing the ancient ruins; She unearthed old photos from the attic

See above for 'digging'.

• See above for 'digging'.

Specifically used in agriculture to describe the preparation of soil for growing crops. It involves plowing, turning, and mixing the soil to create a good environment for seeds.

• The tractor was tilling the field to prepare it for planting corn.
• Tilling the soil helps to aerate it and make it more fertile.

Used in the context of agriculture or gardening, referring to preparing and using land for crops or plants. It involves not just breaking the soil, but also nourishing and maintaining it for better growth.

• Farmers are busy cultivating their fields for the next planting season.
• She loves cultivating a variety of plants in her garden.

Refers to the act of rotating or flipping soil, typically to prepare it for planting or to mix in nutrients. This can be done manually with tools or mechanically with machines.

• He was turning the soil to get rid of the weeds.
• Turning the compost pile helps to speed up decomposition.

Used often when breaking or turning over the earth with tools, such as in gardening or construction, or metaphorically when delving deeply into a subject or information.

• She was digging in the garden to plant the flowers.
• The journalist is digging for more information about the scandal.

A more general term for trying to find something, and can be used in both physical and abstract contexts.

• She searched the whole house for her missing cat.
• They are searching for a solution to the problem.

Used when searching in a disorganized way, often implying messiness or a hurried search through many items.

• He rummaged through the drawer looking for his keys.
• She had to rummage through her bag to find a pen.

Typically refers to the act of searching for animals to capture or kill, but can also be used metaphorically for searching diligently for something or someone.

• The hunters set out early to hunt deer.
• I'm on the hunt for a new apartment.