Cave — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun verb /ˈkāv/

Meaning & Definition of Cave

Cave (noun)

  1. a natural chamber or series of chambers in the earth or in the side of a hill or cliff
  2. a usually underground chamber for storage; also, the articles stored there
  3. a place providing privacy or seclusion from others

Cave (verb)

  1. to form a cave in or under
  2. to explore caves especially as a sport or hobby
  3. to cease to resist or oppose, to give in or submit to pressure —usually used with in
  4. to fall in or down especially from being undermined —usually used with in
  5. to cause to fall or collapse —usually used with in

Cave (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a naturally formed underground chamber with an opening to the surface

    "Kentucky's Mammoth Cave is actually a series of large chambers on five levels"

    similar: antre, cavern, delve (archaic), grot, grotto
    related: abyss, chasm, gulf, hollow, crawlway, gallery, subway, tunnel, excavation, mine, pit, shaft, well, bunker, dugout, foxhole, burrow, covert, den, hole, lair, lodge, shelter

Cave (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. as in submit, yield

    similar: capitulate, submit, yield, beset, besiege, overrun, bombard, storm, assail, assault, attack
    opposite: bulwark, cover, defend, fence, fend, forfend, guard, keep, protect, safeguard, screen, secure, shield, ward, avert, prevent, oppose, resist, withstand

Related Entry: Cave (in) (verb)

Cave (in) is a different word from Cave. The synonyms below are for cave (in), not for cave.

  1. to fall down or in as a result of physical pressure

    "the wall caved in when a tree fell on it"

    similar: buckle, collapse, crumple, founder, give, go, go out, implode, tumble, yield, give way
    related: deflate, flatten, melt, melt down, break, break down, conk (out), crash, die, fail, give out, stall, burst, shatter, smash, splinter, split, crack, crumble, pop, snap
    near: inflate, rise, swell

  2. to give up and cease resistance (as to a liking, temptation, or habit)

    "I caved in to my bibliomania and bought two more books last week"

    similar: bow, give in, submit, succumb, surrender, yield
    related: cater (to), gratify, indulge, wallow, acquiesce (to), concede (to), buckle (under), knuckle under, give over (to)
    opposite: hold off, resist
    near: battle, breast, combat, confront, counter, defy, face, fight, meet, object, oppose, repel, thwart, withstand, reject, bridle, check, constrain, curb, inhibit, restrain, stifle

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Cave

The most common words with a similar meaning to Cave:

Archaic: delve
antre, cavern, grot, grotto, capitulate, submit, yield, beset, besiege, overrun, bombard, storm, assail, assault, attack

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Cave

Words with the opposite meaning of Cave:

bulwark, cover, defend, fence, fend, forfend, guard, keep, protect, safeguard, screen, secure, shield, ward, avert, prevent, oppose, resist, withstand

Related Words for Cave

abyss, chasm, gulf, hollow, crawlway, gallery, subway, tunnel, excavation, mine, pit, shaft, well, bunker, dugout, foxhole, burrow, covert, den, hole, lair, lodge, shelter

Word Forms of Cave

Inflections: caves, caved, caving

Derived words: caver (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Cave

Middle English, borrowed from Anglo-French, borrowed from Latin cava, noun derivative from feminine of cavus "hollow, concave" hole:1

First known use: 13th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Cave

Words & Phrases Containing Cave

cave bear, cave dweller, cave-in, cave canem, cave painting, man cave

Frequently Asked Questions about Cave

What does "Cave" mean?

"Cave" means a natural chamber or series of chambers in the earth or in the side of a hill or cliff. As an a noun and a verb, it is defined as: a natural chamber or series of chambers in the earth or in the side of a hill or cliff. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Cave"?

Other words for "Cave" include antre, cavern, delve, grot, grotto, capitulate, submit and yield. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Cave" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Cave"?

There are 39 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Cave". Common alternatives include antre, cavern, delve, grot, grotto, capitulate, submit, yield, beset and besiege.

What is the opposite of "Cave"?

Antonyms of "Cave" include bulwark, cover, defend, fence, fend, forfend, guard and keep.

How do you use "Cave" in a sentence?

Examples of "Cave" in a sentence: "Kentucky's Mammoth Cave is actually a series of large chambers on five levels".

Is "Cave" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Cave" can be used as a noun and a verb, depending on the context.

Is "Cave" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a B2-level word, "Cave" is typical of Cambridge B2 First (FCE), IELTS band 5.5–6.5, TOEFL iBT 72–94, PTE Academic 59–75, TOEIC Listening & Reading 785+.

How do you pronounce "Cave"?

"Cave" is pronounced /ˈkāv/.