delve
1 of 2verb
transitive verb
intransitive verb
delve
2 of 2noun
Did you know?
Digging Up the History of Delve
We must dig deep into the English language's past to find the origins of delve. The verb traces to the early Old English word delfan and is related to the Old High German word telban, meaning "to dig." For centuries, there was only delving—no digging—because dig didn't exist until much later; it appears in early Middle English. Is the phrase "dig and delve" (as in the line "eleven, twelve, dig and delve," from the nursery rhyme that begins "one, two, buckle my shoe") redundant? Not necessarily. According to the Oxford English Dictionary, in some local uses, dig was the term for working with a mattock (a tool similar to an adze or a pick), while delve was reserved for work done using a spade.
Synonyms
Verb
- dig (into)
- examine
- explore
- inquire (into)
- investigate
- look (into)
- probe
- research
Noun
- antre
- cave
- cavern
- grot
- grotto
Example Sentences
Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 26 Aug. 2022 Travelers will then delve deeper into Turks and Caicos with snorkeling adventures to the spectacular coral reefs and other fun water activities. Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 16 Aug. 2022 The podcast will delve into all things Game of Thrones, including the many spin-offs that are in development, but especially the franchise's first successor series. Nick Romano, EW.com, 15 Aug. 2022 The Making of the ’68 Comeback Special will delve into the behind-the-scenes drama that seemed to loom over almost every frame of the NBC program that catapulted Presley back into people’s homes and hearts. Melinda Newman, Billboard, 12 Aug. 2022 The unscripted companion series will delve deeper into the story through the use of archival footage and new interviews. Joe Otterson, Variety, 7 July 2022 The program, executive produced by Oprah Winfrey and set to premiere on May 1, will delve into these issues and how the covid-19 pandemic laid bare the issues facing the nation. Ted Scheinman, Smithsonian Magazine, 4 Apr. 2022 While a significant amount of her work to date has been linked to academia, this book will delve into raw recollections of Thunig's upbringing and personal challenges. Alicia Vrajlal, refinery29.com, 9 Mar. 2022 The podcast will delve into the reasons why February was designated as Black History Month, as well as how people can celebrate. Cathy Kozlowicz, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 9 Feb. 2022 See More Word History
Verb and Noun
Middle English, from Old English delfan; akin to Old High German telban to dig
Verb
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense
Noun
14th century, in the meaning defined above
Kids Definition
delve
verb
delve 1 of 2
noun
Synonyms & Similar Words
- cave
- cavern
- grotto
- abyss
- pit
- grot
- tunnel
- burrow
- antre
- well
- lair
- hollow
- excavation
- chasm
- mine
- covert
- bunker
- gallery
- crawlway
- shaft
- subway
- den
- lodge
- shelter
- gulf
- foxhole
- hole
- dugout
delve
2 of 2verb
Synonyms & Similar Words
- dig
- shovel
- excavate
- mine
- burrow
- claw
- quarry
- scoop
- grub
- dredge
- spade
- dig in
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- fill (in)
- smooth (out or over)