# delve

/ˈdɛɫv/ (US) · /dˈɛlv/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/delve
Updated: 2026-05-08

## Definition

to search for information by looking deeply into something. You use this when you want to find out more about a topic or a secret.

For teachers: to research or investigate something thoroughly and systematically. Often used metaphorically to describe a deep mental or academic inquiry.

## Examples

- We need to delve into the data to find the answer.
- The journalist decided to delve into the company's financial history to uncover the truth about the missing funds.
- To understand the author's true intentions, one must delve into the historical context of the era and the personal tragedies that shaped his worldview.

## Pitfalls

- Not "delve the archives" but "delve into the archives" — Delve is an intransitive verb and requires the preposition 'into' before the object.

## Usage notes

- Intransitive; almost always followed by the preposition 'into'.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.