Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Relating to or using signals or information represented by discrete values (digits): Describes technology, data, or systems that operate using binary code (0s and 1s) or discrete numerical values, as opposed to continuous analog signals.
   • Relating to or performed with the fingers: Pertaining to the fingers, often used in medical contexts.
   • Displaying information as numerical digits: Showing information, such as time or measurements, in the form of numbers rather than through a dial or scale.

Examples of Usage

• Adjective (Technology/Data):
  • We live in a digital age where information is stored electronically.
  • The camera captures images in a digital format.
• Adjective (Fingers):
  • The doctor performed a digital examination.
• Adjective (Display):
  • I prefer a digital watch because it shows the exact time in numbers.

Advanced Usage

• "Digital native": A person born or brought up during the age of digital technology and therefore familiar with computers and the Internet from an early age.
  • As a digital native, she finds new software intuitive to use.
• "Digital footprint": The information about a particular person that exists on the Internet as a result of their online activity.
  • You should be mindful of your digital footprint when using social media.

Variants and Related Words

• Digitize (verb): To convert (data or an image) into a digital form that can be processed by a computer.
  • The library is working to digitize its historical archives.
• Digitally (adverb): In a digital manner.
  • The document was signed digitally.
• Digitalization (noun): The adoption or increase in use of digital or computer technology by an organization, industry, country, etc.

Synonyms

• Numerical: Relating to or expressed as a number or numbers.
• Electronic: (Having or operating with components such as microchips and transistors that control and direct electric currents) This is a close synonym in the context of technology, though not identical.

Related Phrases

• Go digital: To adopt or convert to digital technology.
  • The newspaper decided to go digital and focus on its online edition.
• Digital detox: A period of time during which a person refrains from using electronic devices such as smartphones or computers, regarded as an opportunity to reduce stress or focus on social interaction in the physical world.
  • After the conference, he took a weekend for a digital detox in the mountains.

Related Idioms

• "The digital divide": The gulf between those who have ready access to computers and the Internet, and those who do not.
  • Bridging the digital divide is a key challenge for educators.

Adjective

1. of a circuit or device that represents magnitudes in digits
   • digital computer
2. relating to or performed with the fingers
   • digital examination
3. displaying numbers rather than scale positions
   • digital clock
   • digital readout