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dig

dig

3 4.8
A small mark made on a surface by a hit or push
  • noun
  • /dɪg/
: mella
  • The toddler left a small dig in the sand with his finger.

Examples

  • He made a quick dig at her choice of outfit during the meeting.

  • My colleagues and I had just completed a successful second dig season, and we were packing finds and taking our final notes.

    Academic text (2009)
  • Half the room has been cleared, but with 11 days budgeted for this dig, including travel time, there's only so much they can do.

    Academic text (2009)
  • Relocating to nice digs next to a lake didn't hurt morale, either.

    Academic text (2005)
  • Best chili we've had in a while, and what comfy digs they have created.

    Blog text (14)
  • She gave him a dig in the ribs to get his attention.

Synonyms

indentation
vsdig
20 3.7

A small dent in a surface that cutting or hitting causes

also covers a quick finger or elbow poke as a separate sense
poking
vsdig
5 2.7

A quick, sharp touch with a finger or small object to get attention

is the same action but also refers to small surface dents
jab
vsdig
5 3.0

A quick sharp poke with a finger, hand, or object

also names short surface dents or small gouges as physical marks
incision
vsdig
1 5.7

A narrow cut an artist makes on a surface to show a design

is less formal and also includes quick pokes or surface dents
check
vsdig
1 5.8

A small chip or notch in the surface of something

is used more generally, not only for chips from breaking or chopping
knick
vsdig
1 4.6

A small cut or mark on a surface that appears when something hits it

is similar but often covers deliberate small pokes as well
prick
vsdig
1 6.3

A small mark or dent on a surface used as a guide

is broader and also means a quick poke or a small gouge

Idioms

To cause problems for yourself because of your actions

6.7

Refuse to change an opinion or plan when pressed

7.1

To do something that makes you fail

Compounds

infra dig
  • Archaic
1 9.9

A thing people see as below a person's status and not socially acceptable

How Deep

hole
∞ 1.0
dent
51 1.0
dig
3 4.8
nick
13 3.6
scratch
170 1.6

Surface Forms

dig singular
digs plural

Etymology

The word dig for a small dent or gouge comes from the basic idea of making a little hole or mark in a surface. So a dig is a tiny depression left by a push, hit, or point.