cavity
KAV-iht-ee
Cavity (noun) means a hollow space or hole inside something solid. Example: “Engineers found a cavity in the wall behind the old pipework.”
noun
1
A hollow space or hole inside something solid.
"Engineers found a cavity in the wall behind the old pipework."
2
A decayed, hollow spot in a tooth caused by tooth decay.
"The dentist found two small cavities during my check-up."
"Eating too much sugar can lead to cavities."
How to use cavity
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA hollow space inside something — most commonly used today for a hole in a tooth.
Common pairings
fill a cavity
chest cavity
wall cavity
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Word forms
- Plural
- cavities
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Engineers found a _____ in the wall behind the old pipework.
Etymology
From Late Latin cavitās, from cavus ("hollow") plus the suffix -tās ("-ity"). First recorded in English in the mid-16th century.
Class of 1500
cavity joined the language around 1500.
See the full Class of 1500 →
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for cavity
See all rhymes for cavity →Frequently asked questions
What does “cavity” mean?
The word “cavity” means a hollow space or hole inside something solid. In plain terms, a hollow space inside something — most commonly used today for a hole in a tooth.
How do you pronounce “cavity”?
“Cavity” is pronounced KAV-iht-ee ([ˈkʰæv.ɨɾ.i] in IPA).
How do you use “cavity” in a sentence?
Here is “cavity” used in a sentence: “Engineers found a cavity in the wall behind the old pipework.”
What part of speech is “cavity”?
“Cavity” is a noun.
Where does the word “cavity” come from?
The word “cavity” dates back to around 1500 and comes from Late Latin. From Late Latin cavitās, from cavus ("hollow") plus the suffix -tās ("-ity"). First recorded in English in the mid-16th century.
Is “cavity” a common word?
“Cavity” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the C1 level.
How many meanings does “cavity” have?
“Cavity” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a hollow space or hole inside something solid.
What is the difference between a cavity in a tooth and a cavity in an object?
A cavity in general refers to any hollow space or hole inside something solid, while a dental cavity specifically means a decayed, hollow spot in a tooth caused by tooth decay. The dental sense is a specialized medical use of the broader physical meaning.
What causes a cavity in a tooth?
A dental cavity is a decayed, hollow spot caused by tooth decay, which develops when the hard surface of a tooth is gradually eaten away.
Is cavity only used in medical or dental contexts?
No, cavity is a general term for any hollow space inside a solid object, so it is used in engineering, anatomy, and everyday descriptions, not just in dentistry.
