Digger

/ˈdɪɡər/

nounBeginner📊CommonTechnology
2 meanings3 questions

Definitions

2 meanings
1

A person or thing that digs, especially one that digs earth or soil.

/ˈdɪɡər/

nounneutralBeginner
Technology

A person or thing that digs.

The farmer used a digger to prepare the field for planting.

💡 Simply: Imagine someone or something that makes holes in the ground! Like a construction worker using a big machine or a dog that buries its bone.

👶 For kids: Someone or something that makes a hole in the ground.

More Examples

2

The archaeologist carefully brushed the dirt away from the artifacts, knowing they were a digger.

3

The mechanical digger quickly cleared the land.

How It's Used

Construction

"The construction crew brought in a mechanical digger to excavate the foundation."

Gardening

"The gardener used a hand digger to plant the bulbs."

Historical

"In Australia, 'digger' is a term for soldiers, particularly from World War I."

2

Informal term for Australian or New Zealand soldiers.

/ˈdɪɡər/

nounneutralmedium
General

Australian informal name for soldiers.

The 'diggers' fought bravely during the Gallipoli campaign.

💡 Simply: In Australia and New Zealand, they sometimes call their soldiers 'diggers', especially from the old wars. It's a special nickname, like a term of endearment.

👶 For kids: A nickname for some Australian and New Zealand soldiers.

More Examples

2

The term 'digger' is a part of Australian military history.

3

The ANZACs were the 'diggers' during the war.

How It's Used

Military

"Australian soldiers were often referred to as 'diggers' during wartime."

Historical

"During World War I, Australian soldiers were fondly called diggers."

Tip:Australian or New Zealand soldiers in war are also called 'diggers' because they dig trenches and create shelters.

From Middle English *diggere*, from Old English *dicgere* (masculine) and *dīcere* (feminine) , from *dīgan* to dig.

The term 'digger' for Australian soldiers originated during World War I, referencing their trench-digging activities.

Memory tip

Think of a person with a shovel or a machine excavating earth.

Word Origin

LanguageOld English
Original meaning

"One who digs, excavator"

mechanical diggerhand diggerearth digger

Common misspellings

diggrdiger

Usage

60%Spoken
40%Written