NYT Dictionary

DELVE

/dɛlv/
VerbNounDELVGrade 7

Accepted in official NYT Spelling Bee puzzle years: 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026

Meaning

To dig into the ground, especially with a shovel.

Etymology

Origin: Old English

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”).

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

investigateresearchdigboreburrowcultivateculturecutbacksetcavity

NYT Puzzle Appearances

Accepted in 8 recorded puzzles:

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