cave
7 synonyms and 0 antonyms for cave, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A natural hollow space underground or in the side of a cliff or hill.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use cave
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Old French cave, from Latin cava ("hollow, cavity"), from cavus ("hollow"). It replaced the native Old English word sċræf.
Full origin of cave →Frequently asked questions
What does “cave” mean?
The word “cave” means a natural hollow space underground or in the side of a cliff or hill. In plain terms, an underground hollow space, or (as a verb) to give in or collapse.
How do you pronounce “cave”?
“Cave” is pronounced kayv (/keɪv/ in IPA).
How do you use “cave” in a sentence?
Here is “cave” used in a sentence: “Bats roosted deep inside the limestone cave.”
What is another word for “cave”?
Words with a similar meaning to “cave” include earthhole.
What part of speech is “cave”?
Depending on how it is used, “cave” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “cave” come from?
The word “cave” comes from Latin. From Old French cave, from Latin cava ("hollow, cavity"), from cavus ("hollow"). It replaced the native Old English word sċræf.
Is “cave” a common word?
“Cave” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “cave” have?
“Cave” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a natural hollow space underground or in the side of a cliff or hill.
What is the difference between a cave and a cavern?
A cave is any natural hollow space underground or in the side of a cliff or hill. A cavern usually refers specifically to a large cave, or a large chamber within one, so every cavern is a cave, but not every cave is big enough to be called a cavern.
What is the difference between a cave and a grotto?
Both are hollow spaces, but a grotto is typically small, picturesque, and often partly landscaped or man-made, sometimes near water. A cave is strictly a natural hollow in the ground or a hillside, with no suggestion of being decorative or artificial.
What are common phrases that use the word cave?
Common collocations include "explore a cave," "cave entrance," and "cave paintings," all drawing on the sense of a natural hollow underground or in a hillside. The informal sense appears in "man cave," meaning a private space someone retreats to.