grotto

[grot-oh]

noun

plural

grottoes, grottos 

1. a cave or cavern.

2. an artificial cavernlike recess or structure.

grotto

/ ˈɡrɒtəʊ /

noun

1. a small cave, esp one with attractive features

2. a construction in the form of a cave, esp as in landscaped gardens during the 18th century

Other Word Forms

• grottoed adjective
• grottolike adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of grotto¹

1610–20; < Italian grotta < Vulgar Latin *crupta, for Latin crypta subterranean passage, chamber. See crypt

Word History and Origins

Origin of grotto¹

C17: from Old Italian grotta, from Late Latin crypta vault; see _crypt

Example Sentences

The many potted specimens created a jungled grotto on the far side of the dining room, and the diners within, if any, were well concealed by the delicately swaying fronds.

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They lived in the tiger grotto and were fed at the Art Deco-style Lion House, built for the original Fleishhacker Zoo by the Works Progress Administration.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

At the side of the playground, there was a square of lawn, with a grotto – a small shrine centred on a statue of Mary.

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At the side of a children's playground, there was a square of lawn with a grotto – a small shrine centred on a statue of Mary.

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When I go, I wear a disposable hair net and pretend I’m a grotto nymph, crawling around the corners of my subconscious transporting me back in time.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• cavern