cave
A large, naturally-occurring cavity formed underground or in the face of a cliff or a hillside.
Noun 4 meanings
A large, naturally-occurring cavity formed underground or in the face of a cliff or a hillside.
“We found a cave on the mountainside where we could take shelter.”
A hole, depression, or gap in earth or rock, whether natural or man-made.
A storage cellar, especially for wine or cheese.
“This wine has been aged in our cave for thirty years.”
A place of retreat, such as a man cave.
“My room was a cozy cave where I could escape from my family.”
Verb 4 meanings
To surrender.
“He caved under pressure.”
To collapse.
“First the braces buckled, then the roof began to cave, then we ran.”
To hollow out or undermine.
“The levee has been severely caved by the river current.”
To engage in the recreational exploration of caves.
Interjection 1 meaning
look out!; beware!
Etymology
From Middle English cave, borrowed from Old French cave, from Latin cava (“cavity”), from cavus (“hollow”). Cognate with Tocharian B kor (“throat”), Albanian cup (“odd, uneven”), Ancient Greek κύαρ (kúar, “eye of needle, earhole”), Old Armenian սոր (sor, “hole”), Sanskrit शून्य (śūnya, “empty, barren, zero”).
Similar and opposite words
CAVE at a glance
CAVE has 4 letters and scores 9 points in Scrabble (C 3 + A 1 + V 4 + E 1) and 11 in Words With Friends, before board bonuses. It ranks #5,018 by how often it appears in everyday English. It is valid in ENABLE, NWL2023, Collins/SOWPODS.
Rhymes with cave
All rhymesOne letter away
Keep going
Related lists
Looking for a different word?
Type the letters you have and the Finder shows every word that fits.