Grave
/ɡreɪv/
Definitions
3 meaningsA hole dug in the ground for burying a dead body.
/ɡreɪv/
A place of burial.
The mourners gathered at the grave to pay their respects.
💡 Simply: Imagine a small, dark home underground where people who have passed away are put to rest. The grave is a place of remembrance and respect. Think about visiting a special spot to remember someone you miss.
👶 For kids: A grave is a hole in the ground where people are buried after they die.
More Examples
Flowers were placed on the grave of the war hero.
The archaeologist carefully excavated the ancient grave.
How It's Used
"The family visited the grave of their ancestors."
"Archaeologists discovered artifacts at the ancient grave site."
Giving cause for alarm; serious; solemn; weighty.
/ɡreɪv/
Serious, solemn, and important.
The president addressed the nation with a grave expression.
💡 Simply: Imagine something really serious and that needs to be taken seriously. Like a very important, really big situation that demands our full attention. Think about a serious accident.
👶 For kids: If something is grave, it's really, really serious and important.
More Examples
The consequences of their actions were grave.
He spoke in a grave tone about the upcoming crisis.
How It's Used
"The judge delivered a grave warning to the defendant."
"The doctor issued a grave prognosis."
To carve or engrave on a hard surface.
/ɡreɪv/
To carve or engrave
The craftsman began to grave the initials into the headstone.
💡 Simply: When you engrave something like a name or a picture into stone or wood, you're using a tool to cut it in very carefully. Imagine if you wanted to carve your name into a tree
👶 For kids: To grave is to cut or carve a picture or words into something hard, like stone or wood.
More Examples
He used a sharp tool to grave the intricate design.
They plan to grave a message into the memorial.
How It's Used
"The artist wanted to grave a portrait in the stone."
"They used specialized tools to grave the inscription on the tomb."
Idioms & expressions
bring to the grave
To keep a secret until one's death.
"She promised to take the secret to her grave."
From Middle English grave, from Old English græf (grave, pit, tomb), from Proto-Germanic *grabą (grave, pit). Cognate with Dutch graf, German Grab, and Gothic 𐌲𐍂𐌰𐌱𐌰 (graba).
In older texts, 'grave' might be used as a verb more frequently than today, describing the act of engraving.
Memory tip
Think of a place where you leave something that is no longer alive.