Meaning & use
really dig
Last updated
Meanings
verbtransitiveinformalslang
To like something or someone very much.
Grammar: Takes an object: I really dig jazz. No object is not used in this sense.
Patterns
- really dig something
- really dig someone
- really dig doing something
I really dig that new song; it's been stuck in my head all day.
She really digs vintage clothes and shops at secondhand stores.
verbtransitiveinformalslangold-fashioned
To understand or appreciate something.
Grammar: Takes an object: I dig what you mean. Often used in the phrase 'dig it'.
Patterns
- really dig what someone means
- really dig it
I really dig what you're saying about the design.
He really dug the joke and laughed out loud.
Word forms
| third person singular | really digs |
|---|---|
| past tense | really dug |
| past participle | really dug |
| -ing form | really digging |
Common combinations
- really dig the music
- They really dig the music from the 1970s.
- really dig a place
- I really dig this cafe; it's so quiet.
- really dig someone's style
- She really digs his style of painting.
- really dig what someone says
- I really dig what she said about teamwork.
Synonyms and how they differ
- love
- Stronger and more standard; safe in almost any context.
- like
- More neutral and common; 'really dig' is slang and sounds dated.
- enjoy
- More formal and often used with activities: enjoy swimming.
- appreciate
- More formal; focuses on understanding the value of something.
Opposites
Word family
- dig verb
- The base verb, also meaning to break up and move earth.
Commonly confused: really dig or dig? really dig or really?
really dig vs dig
'Dig' alone usually means to make a hole in the ground; the slang sense 'like' needs context and is informal.
really dig vs really
'Really' just makes the verb stronger; it is not part of the meaning of 'dig'.
Practice
I ______ that band; their songs are great.
Choose one answer.
With 'I', the present simple form is 'really dig'. 'Really digs' is for he/she/it; 'really digging' needs a form of 'be'; 'really dug' is past tense and does not fit the present statement.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “really dig”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.