cage

6 synonyms and 2 antonyms for cage, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.

Noun — A structure of bars or mesh used to enclose and contain an animal or person.

Synonyms

Everyday swaps

Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.

pen

Less common

Still standard English, but they carry more weight.

enclosure coop crate

Rare, literary or technical

Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.

hutch corral

Synonyms by Meaning

1. noun

A structure of bars or mesh used to enclose and contain an animal or person.

“The hamster ran happily on its wheel inside a small wire cage.”

enclosure pen coop crate hutch corral

2. verb

To shut something or someone inside a cage.

“Zookeepers caged the escaped monkey before it could wander onto the road.”

Opposites

free

3. verb

To trap or hold back a person's freedom or creativity, often figuratively.

“Please don't cage her creativity with so many rigid rules and deadlines.”

Opposites

liberate

How to use cage

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

put in a cage caged animal feel caged in birdcage

Etymology

From Old French cage, going back to Latin cavea, "hollow place, enclosure" — the same root that gives us "cave" and "jail."

Full origin of cage →

Frequently asked questions

What does “cage” mean?

The word “cage” means a structure of bars or mesh used to enclose and contain an animal or person. In plain terms, a barred enclosure for keeping something in, or (as a verb) to trap someone inside one, literally or figuratively.

How do you pronounce “cage”?

“Cage” is pronounced kayj (/keɪd͡ʒ/ in IPA).

How do you use “cage” in a sentence?

Here is “cage” used in a sentence: “The parrot paced back and forth inside its cage.”

What part of speech is “cage”?

Depending on how it is used, “cage” can be a noun and a verb.

Where does the word “cage” come from?

The word “cage” comes from Latin. From Old French cage, going back to Latin cavea, "hollow place, enclosure" — the same root that gives us "cave" and "jail.".

Is “cage” a common word?

“Cage” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.

How many meanings does “cage” have?

“Cage” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a structure of bars or mesh used to enclose and contain an animal or person.

What is the difference between a 'cage' and a 'pen'?

A cage is an enclosure of bars or mesh that usually surrounds an animal on all sides, including the top, while a pen is an open-topped area fenced off to hold larger animals such as sheep or pigs. Cages fully contain, whereas pens mainly restrict movement across the ground.

What is the difference between a 'cage' and a 'crate'?

A cage is typically a fixed or standing structure of bars used to keep an animal or person enclosed, while a crate is a portable box, often used to transport a pet. You keep a bird in a cage but carry a dog in a crate.

What is the difference between a 'cage' and a 'coop'?

A coop is a specific kind of enclosure for poultry such as chickens, usually with a sheltered area, while a cage is a general term for any barred or mesh enclosure. All coops hold birds, but a cage can contain many kinds of animals.

Can 'cage' be used as a verb?

Yes, 'cage' is also a verb meaning to shut a person or animal inside a cage, as in 'the parrot was caged for the journey.' Used figuratively, 'caged' can describe someone who feels trapped or confined.

People also searched

free pen enclosure coop crate liberate hutch corral

Nearby words

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