A digger is someone or something that digs. Construction workers use massive mechanical diggers (also called excavators) to scoop enormous amounts of dirt and rock when building roads or tall buildings. These machines have long arms with bucket-shaped scoops that can dig deep into the earth. Archaeologists are diggers too, carefully removing layers of soil to uncover ancient artifacts and bones.

Animals can be diggers as well. Badgers, moles, and prairie dogs are expert diggers, creating elaborate underground tunnel systems where they live and raise their young. Some diggers, like earthworms, improve the soil as they tunnel through it.

In Australian and New Zealand English, “digger” is an affectionate term for a soldier, especially one who served in World War I. Australian and New Zealand troops became famous for their bravery and determination, and the nickname stuck because soldiers often had to dig trenches for protection during battles.

The word can also describe someone who works hard to find or obtain something, like a gold digger searching for precious metals. When you're digging through your backpack looking for a lost pencil, you're being a digger of sorts.