Digging: meaning, definitions and examples

⛏️

Add to dictionary

digging

[ˈdɪɡɪŋ ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

archaeology

The act or process of excavating, turning up, or removing earth, especially with a shovel.

Synonyms

excavation, shoveling, unearthing.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
digging	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
excavation	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
shoveling	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
unearthing	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

Examples of usage

The digging at the archaeological site revealed ancient artifacts.
The team spent months digging in search of buried treasure.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

gardening

The act of breaking up and turning over soil in preparation for planting.

Synonyms

cultivating, tilling, turning.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
digging	See above for 'digging'. See above for 'digging'.
tilling	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.
cultivating	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.
turning	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.

Examples of usage

The digging in the garden was hard work but necessary for the new plants.
She enjoyed the physical activity of digging in the soil.

^{Context #3 | Verb}

informal

To search or rummage in a particular place.

Synonyms

hunt, rummage, search.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
digging	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.
search	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.
rummage	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.
hunt	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.

Examples of usage

She was digging through her drawers looking for the missing key.
He was digging in his backpack for his phone.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

'Dig' comes from the Old English word 'dicgan,' meaning to form a hole or burrow.
In Middle English, 'dige' referred to the act of digging soil to create a trench for drainage.
The verb 'dig' evolved with influences from various Germanic languages, showcasing its long-standing use in English.

Archaeology

Digging is crucial in archaeology for uncovering artifacts that tell us about past civilizations.
Excavation sites are carefully documented, with layers of soil revealing different historical periods.
Some ancient cities, like Pompeii, were preserved under ash, and digging them up helps us learn about life in those times.

Botany

Digging is essential in gardening to prepare soil for planting seeds and helps in aerating the ground.
Certain plants thrive when dug into specific soil depths, demonstrating the technique's importance for growth.
Tilling, which is a form of digging, mixes organic matter into the soil, improving fertility and plant health.

Cultural Practices

Traditional farming methods often involve digging to create furrows for planting crops, tailored to local environments.
In many cultures, digging is a communal activity during harvest festivals, symbolizing teamwork and unity.
In some indigenous practices, digging is used to harvest roots and tubers, crucial for nutrition and culture.

Psychology

The act of digging can serve as a metaphor in therapy, symbolizing the emotional process of uncovering buried feelings.
Engaging in physical activities like digging is often associated with reducing stress and enhancing mental health.
Research shows that hands-on activities like digging help improve focus and decrease anxiety levels.

Translations

Translations of the word "digging" in other languages:

🇵🇹 escavação

🇮🇳 खुदाई

🇩🇪 Graben

🇮🇩 penggalian

🇺🇦 копання

🇵🇱 kopanie

🇯🇵 掘削 (くっさく)

🇫🇷 excavation

🇪🇸 excavación

🇹🇷 kazı

🇰🇷 파기

🇸🇦 حفر

🇨🇿 kopání

🇸🇰 kopanie

🇨🇳 挖掘 (wājué)

🇸🇮 kopanje

🇮🇸 gröft

🇰🇿 қазу

🇬🇪 თხრა

🇦🇿 qazma

🇲🇽 excavación

Word Frequency Rank

Position #7,912 indicates this is an advanced-level word. While not essential for basic communication, it will enhance your ability to understand and create more nuanced content.

...
7909 adviser
7910 admire
7911 porous
7912 digging
7913 stabilization
7914 slab
7915 switched
...