grave
grayv
Grave (noun) means a hole dug in the ground to bury a dead body. Example: “They stood quietly beside his grave.”
noun
1
A hole dug in the ground to bury a dead body.
"They stood quietly beside his grave."
"Fresh flowers were placed on the grave every Sunday."
"The gravedigger finished the grave early so the family could arrive before noon."
adj
1
Very serious, especially in a way that causes worry or concern.
"The doctor's expression suggested grave news."
"They face grave consequences if the deal falls through."
"Her grave illness meant the family cancelled their holiday and stayed close to the hospital."
How to use grave
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither the place where someone is buried, or (as an adjective) very serious and worrying.
Common mistake
The noun (burial place) and the adjective (serious) come from completely different word histories, even though they're spelled the same.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
dig a grave
grave danger
grave concern
grave mistake
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Word forms
- Plural
- graves
- Third person singular
- graves
- Past tense
- graven, graved
- Comparative
- graver
- Superlative
- gravest
Fill the gap
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They stood quietly beside his _____.
Etymology
From Old English græf ("cave, grave, trench"), related to the word "groove". The adjective sense is a separate, later borrowing from Latin gravis ("heavy, serious").
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for grave
See all rhymes for grave →Frequently asked questions
What does “grave” mean?
The word “grave” means a hole dug in the ground to bury a dead body. In plain terms, either the place where someone is buried, or (as an adjective) very serious and worrying.
How do you pronounce “grave”?
“Grave” is pronounced grayv (/ɡɹeɪv/ in IPA).
How do you use “grave” in a sentence?
Here is “grave” used in a sentence: “They stood quietly beside his grave.”
What is another word for “grave”?
Words with a similar meaning to “grave” include grievous.
What part of speech is “grave”?
Depending on how it is used, “grave” can be a noun and an adjective.
Where does the word “grave” come from?
The word “grave” comes from Latin. From Old English græf ("cave, grave, trench"), related to the word "groove". The adjective sense is a separate, later borrowing from Latin gravis ("heavy, serious").
Is “grave” a common word?
“Grave” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “grave” have?
“Grave” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a hole dug in the ground to bury a dead body.
What is the difference between 'grave' and 'serious'?
Both describe something of great importance, but 'grave' is stronger and implies real danger or cause for worry, as in a grave threat or grave illness. 'Serious' is more general and everyday, so all grave situations are serious, but not all serious ones are grave.
What is the difference between a 'grave' and a 'tomb'?
A grave is a hole dug in the ground to bury a dead body. A tomb is typically a larger, often above-ground or enclosed burial structure, so a grave is usually simpler and set into the earth.
When should you use 'grave' instead of 'severe'?
Use 'grave' when emphasising worry or danger, as with grave concerns or a grave error. 'Severe' emphasises intensity or harshness, such as severe pain or severe weather, without the same sense of dread.
What words commonly go with the adjective 'grave'?
The adjective 'grave' frequently appears in phrases like grave danger, grave concern, grave mistake, grave situation, and grave consequences. These collocations stress seriousness and the risk of harm.
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