Dig means to break up and move earth or other material using a tool or your hands. When you dig a hole in your backyard with a shovel, you're pushing the blade into the soil, lifting it out, and setting it aside. Dogs dig by scratching at the ground with their front paws, usually trying to bury something or hunt for something hidden.

People dig for many reasons: archaeologists dig carefully through ancient sites to uncover artifacts from past civilizations, gardeners dig holes to plant seeds or bulbs, and construction workers dig foundations for new buildings. The deeper you want to go, the more digging you need to do.

The word can also mean to search through something, like when you dig through your backpack looking for a lost pencil. If someone tells you to dig in, they're encouraging you to start eating with enthusiasm.

In casual conversation, when you dig something, you really like or appreciate it: “I dig that new song.” And when you dig into a topic, you study it deeply and thoroughly. A researcher might dig into old records to understand what really happened. If someone digs their heels in, they're refusing to change their position, like pressing your heels firmly into the ground so you can't be moved.