Cave

/keɪv/

nounBeginner🔥Very CommonTechnology
2 meanings1 idiom/phrase2 questions

Definitions

2 meanings
1

A large, naturally formed underground chamber or system of chambers.

/keɪv/

nounneutralBeginner
Technology

A natural underground chamber

Bats live in the cave.

💡 Simply: It's a big hole in the ground, usually underground.

👶 For kids: A big, dark hole in the ground where animals might live.

More Examples

2

The cave was dark and damp.

How It's Used

Geology

"The explorers discovered intricate formations inside the cave."

Adventure

"We went spelunking in the nearby cave system."

2

To yield or submit to pressure or demands.

/keɪv/

verbnegativeIntermediate
General

To give in to pressure or demands

He caved in to his friends' persuasion.

💡 Simply: To give up or surrender; to finally agree to something you didn't want to at first.

👶 For kids: To give in; to say 'okay' even if you don't want to.

More Examples

2

She finally caved and admitted she was wrong.

How It's Used

Negotiation

"After much debate, the union decided to cave to management's demands."

Tip:Imagine the earth caving in – giving way under pressure.

Idioms & expressions

cave in

To collapse or give way.

"The roof of the mine caved in."

From Old French *cave, from Latin *cavus "hollow, cave".

The word 'cave' has been used to describe natural underground chambers since at least the Middle Ages.

Memory tip

Think of a 'cave' as a 'cavity' in the earth.

Word Origin

LanguageLatin
Original meaning

"hollow"

Base: cave
explore a cavecave systemcave paintingscave in to pressure

Common misspellings

caevkave

Usage

60%Spoken
40%Written