delve Meaning & Definition
What Does Delve Mean?
Delve is a verb that means to dig or labor with or as if with a spade. It is also used to mean to make a careful or detailed search for information. As a noun, it means cave, hollow.
Delve at a Glance
| Part of speech | verb, noun |
|---|---|
| Pronunciation | /ˈdelv/ |
| Synonyms | dig, turn over and cut into |
| Plural | delves |
| Verb forms | delves, delving, delved |
Delve Definition (Verb)
- to dig or labor with or as if with a spade
delved into her handbag in search of a pen
- to make a careful or detailed search for information
delved into the past
- to examine a subject in detail
The book delves into the latest research. / won't delve into her reason for leaving
- excavate
Delve as a Noun
- cave, hollow
Synonyms of Delve
Delve in a Sentence
delved into her handbag in search of a pen
delved into the past
The book delves into the latest research.
won't delve into her reason for leaving
a poem in which a medieval knight encounters a mysterious beauty in a darkened delve
we uncovered many interesting stories as we delved into the history of the house we were restoring
The book delves into the latest research. / won't delve into her reason for leaving
Word Forms & Grammar
delved
delv·ing
delv·er noun
delve
delver
delvers
delves
delving
delve (into)
delve into
delve (third-person singular simple present delves, present participle delving, simple past delved or (archaic) dolve, past participle delved or (archaic) dolve or (archaic) dolven)
delve (plural delves)
Words That Rhyme With Delve
Origin of Delve
Origin 1: Middle English, from Old English delfan; akin to Old High German telban to dig
Origin 2: see delve:1
Origin 3: From Middle English delven, from Old English delfan (“to dig, dig out, burrow, bury”), from Proto-Germanic *delbaną (“to dig”), from Proto-Indo-European *dʰelbʰ- (“to dig”). Cognate with West Frisian dolle (“to dig, delve”), Dutch delven (“to dig, delve”), Low German dölven (“to dig, delve”), dialectal German delben, telben (“to dig, delve”).
Origin 4: From Middle English delve, delf, dælf, from Old English delf, ġedelf (“digging”) and dælf (“that which is dug out, delf, ditch”). More at delf.
First Known Use
before 12th centuryt
14th century
Common Questions About Delve
Is delve a verb or a noun?
Delve is mainly used as a verb, but it can also be used as a noun.
What is another word for delve?
Close synonyms of delve are dig, turn over and cut into. See the full list of delve synonyms and antonyms.
What is the plural of delve?
The plural of delve is delves.
What is the past tense of delve?
The past tense of delve is delved. The present participle is delving.