dungeon
3 synonyms and 0 antonyms for dungeon, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A dark, often underground prison cell, typically found beneath an old castle.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
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 dungeon
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Old French donjon, "castle keep," from Latin dominus, "lord" — originally the lord's central tower, which later became associated with the prison cells often held there.
Full origin of dungeon →Frequently asked questions
What does “dungeon” mean?
The word “dungeon” means a dark, often underground prison cell, typically found beneath an old castle. In plain terms, a grim underground cell for prisoners, or (in games) a hazard-filled area to explore and fight through.
How do you pronounce “dungeon”?
“Dungeon” is pronounced DUHN-juhn (/ˈdʌn.d͡ʒən/ in IPA).
How do you use “dungeon” in a sentence?
Here is “dungeon” used in a sentence: “The prisoners were dragged down into the castle's dungeon.”
What part of speech is “dungeon”?
“Dungeon” is a noun.
Where does the word “dungeon” come from?
The word “dungeon” comes from Latin. From Old French donjon, "castle keep," from Latin dominus, "lord" — originally the lord's central tower, which later became associated with the prison cells often held there.
Is “dungeon” a common word?
“Dungeon” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “dungeon” have?
“Dungeon” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a dark, often underground prison cell, typically found beneath an old castle.
What is the difference between a dungeon and a prison?
A dungeon specifically refers to a dark, often underground cell historically found beneath old castles, while a prison is a broader modern term for any facility used to hold people convicted of crimes. Dungeons are generally associated with historical or fictional settings rather than modern justice systems.
What does dungeon mean in video games?
In video games, a dungeon is an area, often maze-like or underground, filled with enemies, hazards, and treasure that players must fight or navigate through, a convention especially common in role-playing games.
Is dungeon always used to describe something underground?
While dungeon traditionally implies an underground prison cell beneath a castle, in modern usage, especially in games, it can describe any enclosed, hazard-filled area regardless of whether it is literally underground.