delve

UK: /ˈdɛlv/ US: /dɛlv/ ,(delv)

Inflections of 'delve' (v): (⇒ conjugate)

delves

v 3rd person singular

delving

v pres p

delved

v past

delved

v past p

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

delve /dɛlv/   v., delved, delv•ing. 

1. to dig into;
   make a deep and thorough search: [ ~ + into + obj]:
   We delved into the files to find out when the event happened.
   [ ~ + among + obj]:
   delving among old shelves.

delv•er, n. [countable]

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

delve  (delv), v., delved, delv•ing. 
v.i. 

1. to carry on intensive and thorough research for data, information, or the like;
   investigate:
   to delve into the issue of prison reform.
2. [Archaic.] to dig, as with a spade.

v.t. 

3. [Archaic.] to dig;
   excavate.

• bef. 900; Middle English delven, Old English delfan; cognate with Dutch delven, Old High German telban

delv′er, n. 
Synonyms

• 1. research, inquire, probe, examine, explore.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

delve / dɛlv/ verb (mainly intr; often followed by in or into)

1. to inquire or research deeply or intensively (for information, etc)
2. to search or rummage (in a drawer, the pockets, etc)
3. (esp of an animal) to dig or burrow deeply (into the ground, etc)
4. (also tr) to dig or turn up (earth, a garden, etc), as with a spade

Etymology: Old English delfan; related to Old High German telban to dig, Russian dolbit to hollow out with a chisel

ˈdelver noun