Delve vs. Dwell — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Maham Liaqat — Updated on April 27, 2024
"Delve" implies digging into or investigating deeply, typically into a subject or issue, while "dwell" means to live in or reside, or to focus thought on something extensively.
Difference Between Delve and Dwell
Table of Contents
ADVERTISEMENT
Key Differences
"Delve" often refers to an in-depth investigation or exploration of a topic, where a person might dig deep into details or complexities. On the other hand, "dwell" can refer to residing in a place or staying in a particular state, suggesting a more static condition.
When someone delves into a subject, they actively seek out more information, often requiring a proactive approach and thorough research. In contrast, to dwell on something generally means to think about it repeatedly, sometimes excessively, which can be more of a passive activity.
"Delve" is used when discussing actions that involve a deep and focused effort to uncover or learn something new. Whereas "dwell" is often used in contexts that emphasize remaining in a specific emotional or intellectual state for an extended period.
In the realm of physical activity, "delve" might be used metaphorically to describe deep diving into tasks or projects. Conversely, "dwell" might describe someone's continuous presence in a particular location, emphasizing the aspect of living or existing somewhere.
The urgency and dynamic nature of delving are contrasted sharply with the lingering, sometimes stagnant connotations of dwelling, especially when it pertains to thoughts or feelings.
ADVERTISEMENT
Comparison Chart
Primary Meaning
To carry out and investigate deeply
To live or reside somewhere
Secondary Meaning
Engage in detailed research
Think, speak, or write at length about something
Context of Usage
Academic, research, investigation
Residential, psychological
Connotation
Active, thorough exploration
Passive, continuous presence or thought
Example of Use
"She delved into the archives for her research."
"He dwells in the countryside."
Compare with Definitions
Delve
Engaging deeply in a subject.
She delves into her studies every night without fail.
Dwell
To exist in a particular state or condition.
They dwell in blissful ignorance.
Delve
To investigate thoroughly.
He delved into the mystery surrounding the old manor.
Dwell
To linger over a thought or subject.
The poet dwells on themes of love and loss.
Delve
To dig into; to excavate.
The archaeologists delved into the ancient ruins.
Dwell
To inhabit or populate.
Various creatures dwell in the forest.
Delve
To explore a topic in detail.
The book delves into the impacts of climate change.
Dwell
To live at a specified place.
She dwells in a quaint village by the sea.
Delve
To research or make inquiries into.
They delved into the records to find the truth.
Dwell
To think, speak, or write at length about.
He tends to dwell on his past mistakes.
Delve
To search deeply and laboriously
Delved through the court records.
Dwell
To live as a resident; reside.
Delve
To research or make inquiries into something
Scientists delving into gene regulation.
Dwell
To exist in a given place or state
Dwell in joy.
Delve
To undertake an activity or occupation undeterred by difficulty or uncertainty
Delved into writing a blog.
Dwell
To fasten one's attention on something, especially moodily or persistently
Kept dwelling on what went wrong.
Delve
To discuss or explain something, especially in detail
The article delves into the problems facing the banking system.
Dwell
To speak or write at length; expatiate
Dwelt on the need to trim the budget.
Delve
To enter or move into an area in which movement is difficult
The explorers delved into the forest.
Dwell
(engineering) A period of time in which a system or component remains in a given state.
Delve
To dig the ground, as with a spade.
Dwell
(engineering) A brief pause in the motion of part of a mechanism to allow an operation to be completed.
Delve
(Archaic) To dig (ground) with a spade.
Dwell
(electrical engineering) A planned delay in a timed control program.
Delve
(intransitive) To dig into the ground, especially with a shovel.
Dwell
(automotive) In a petrol engine, the period of time the ignition points are closed to let current flow through the ignition coil in between each spark. This is measured as an angle in degrees around the camshaft in the distributor which controls the points, for example in a 4-cylinder engine it might be 55° (spark at 90° intervals, points closed for 55° between each).
Delve
(ambitransitive) To search thoroughly and carefully for information, research, dig into, penetrate, fathom, trace out
Dwell
To live; to reside.
Delve
(ambitransitive) To dig; to excavate.
Dwell
On To linger on a particular thought, idea, etc.; to remain fixated on something.
Steven, stop dwelling on the past!
But you stole my kidney!
But you stole my kidney!
Delve
A pit or den.
Dwell
To be in a given state.
Delve
To dig; to open (the ground) as with a spade.
Delve of convenient depth your thrashing floor.
Dwell
(intransitive) To abide; to remain; to continue.
Delve
To dig into; to penetrate; to trace out; to fathom.
I can not delve him to the root.
Dwell
To delay; to linger.
Delve
To dig or labor with a spade, or as with a spade; to labor as a drudge.
Delve may I not: I shame to beg.
Dwell
To abide; to remain; to continue.
I 'll rather dwell in my necessity.
Thy soul was like a star and dwelt apart.
Delve
A place dug; a pit; a ditch; a den; a cave.
Which to that shady delve him brought at last.
The very tigers from their delvesLook out.
Dwell
To abide as a permanent resident, or for a time; to live in a place; to reside.
The parish in which I was born, dwell, and have possessions.
The poor man dwells in a humble cottage near the hall where the lord of the domain resides.
They stand at a distance, dwelling on his looks and language, fixed in amazement.
Delve
Turn up, loosen, or remove earth;
Dig we must
Turn over the soil for aeration
Dwell
To inhabit.
Dwell
Think moodily or anxiously about something
Dwell
Originate (in);
The problems dwell in the social injustices in this country
Dwell
Make one's home or live in;
She resides officially in Iceland
I live in a 200-year old house
These people inhabited all the islands that are now deserted
The plains are sparsely populated
Dwell
Come back to;
Don't dwell on the past
She is always harping on the same old things
Common Curiosities
Can dwell have a negative connotation?
Yes, "dwell" can have a negative connotation when it refers to excessively focusing on negative thoughts or issues.
How can "dwell" be used in a positive context?
"Dwell" can be positive when it refers to living peacefully or contentedly in a place or state.
Is delving always related to physical digging?
No, delving is more commonly used metaphorically to describe deep research or investigation into non-physical matters.
What is the etymology of "delve"?
The word "delve" comes from the Old English "delfan," meaning to dig.
Can "delve" be used in everyday conversation?
Yes, "delve" can be used in everyday conversation to describe going into depth about any topic, like hobbies, books, or news.
What type of verb is "dwell"?
"Dwell" is an intransitive verb, meaning it does not require a direct object.
What is the difference in usage between delve and dwell?
"Delve" is typically used when referring to in-depth exploration or research, while "dwell" is used to describe residing or focusing thoughts on something.
How do you use "dwell" in terms of meditation or mental focus?
In meditation, "dwell" may be used to describe focusing one's mind persistently on a particular thought or feeling.
Can "delve" imply a physical action apart from digging?
While "delve" originated from a term meaning physical digging, it is now more commonly used metaphorically to describe any thorough investigation or exploration.
What does it mean to delve into a topic?
To delve into a topic means to investigate it deeply and thoroughly.
Is "delve" commonly used in academic writing?
Yes, "delve" is frequently used in academic writing to describe deep research or detailed examination of a topic.
Can "delve" be used in a negative context?
"Delve" can have a negative connotation if it refers to prying into personal matters or secrets in an intrusive way.
Is it grammatically correct to use "dwell" as a command?
Yes, it is grammatically correct to use "dwell" as a command, as in telling someone to reside or focus mentally on something.
What are some synonyms for "dwell"?
Some synonyms for "dwell" include reside, inhabit, live, linger, and remain.
What does it mean to "dwell upon something"?
To "dwell upon something" means to think, speak, or write about it repeatedly and for an extended period.
What are some synonyms for "delve"?
Some synonyms for "delve" include probe, investigate, research, and explore.
Does "dwell" have a specific literary use?
In literature, "dwell" is often used to create a reflective or introspective mood, emphasizing a character's lingering thoughts or prolonged living conditions.
Share Your Discovery
Previous Comparison
Child vs. Son
Next Comparison
Herbalist vs. HerbologistAuthor Spotlight
Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
