delve

American  

[delv] / dɛlv /

verb (used without object)

delved, delving

1. to carry on intensive and thorough research for data, information, or the like; investigate.

   to delve into the issue of prison reform.

   Synonyms:

   explore, examine, probe, inquire, research

2. Archaic. to dig, as with a spade.

---

verb (used with object)

delved, delving

1. Archaic. to dig; excavate.

delve British  

/ dɛlv /

verb

1. to inquire or research deeply or intensively (for information, etc)

   he delved in the Bible for quotations

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. archaic (also tr) to dig or turn up (earth, a garden, etc), as with a spade

---

Other Word Forms

• delver noun
• undelved adjective

Etymology

Origin of delve

First recorded before 900; Middle English delven, Old English delfan; cognate with Dutch delven, Old High German telban

Example Sentences

So he used AI to delve deep into the world of emerging treatments including mRNA vaccines, which train the body's immune system and were widely used during the Covid pandemic.

From Barron's • Mar. 30, 2026

The Supreme Court of California then unanimously ruled last August that the lower court should not have applied this standard and must delve more deeply into the substance of the arguments.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 11, 2026

The company hosted its first new product launch event for 2026 on Jan. 8, where it reiterated its aim to delve deeper into the physical AI segment with four new model launches.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 9, 2026

Radio 4 has promised Thursday evening's episode will delve deeper into the mystery, with the search for the culprit now under way.

From BBC • Dec. 31, 2025

I saw his fingers delve into the pocket marked with D. He found it almost at once.

From "Rebecca" by Daphne du Maurier

Related Words

• burrow
• inquire