cave
kayv
Cave (noun) means a natural hollow space underground or in the side of a cliff or hill. Example: “We sheltered from the rain in a small cave near the beach.”
noun
1
A natural hollow space underground or in the side of a cliff or hill.
"We sheltered from the rain in a small cave near the beach."
"Bats roosted deep inside the limestone cave."
"Prehistoric paintings were found on the cave walls."
2
Informally, a private room or space someone retreats to (a "man cave").
"Her brother's cave in the basement is full of games and old sofas."
"Dad retreats to his cave whenever the football is on."
"He converted the garage into his own cave with a TV and a fridge."
verb
1
To give in or surrender, especially after resisting.
"He said no to a puppy for months, then finally caved."
"After hours of arguing, management finally caved and agreed to the raise."
"She held her ground until she caved to the kids' pleading."
2
To collapse inward.
"The roof of the tunnel began to cave after days of heavy rain."
"Part of the cliff path might cave in if nobody repairs it."
"The old mine shaft caved in during the storm."
How to use cave
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAn underground hollow space, or (as a verb) to give in or collapse.
Common mistake
"Cave in" (collapse or give up) is a phrasal verb — don't drop the "in" when you mean the collapsing sense.
Common pairings
cave in
man cave
explore a cave
cave dweller
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Word forms
- Plural
- caves
- Third person singular
- caves
- Past tense
- caved
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
We sheltered from the rain in a small _____ near the beach.
Etymology
From Old French cave, from Latin cava ("hollow, cavity"), from cavus ("hollow"). It replaced the native Old English word sċræf.
Related words
Rhymes for cave
See all rhymes for 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.
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