grotto

[ grot-oh ]

noun

, plural grot·toes, grot·tos.

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 Words From

• grottoed adjective
• grotto·like 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

In Argentinian Patagonia, there sits a wide-mouthed grotto known as Cueva Huenul.

From Popular-Science

Hazard’s sculptures are grottoes of torn paper, printed sparely with text and boxed in blond wood.

From Washington Post

In 2006, I traveled to France to visit the Sainte-Baume Grotto.

From The Daily Beast

Remember what you told me that moonlit night when we walked by the sea towards the Grotto of Love.

From Project Gutenberg

When he opened his eyes he found himself in a grotto whose crystal columns reflected the delicate tints of the rainbow.

From Project Gutenberg

But I saw rocks and trees around me; clouds; I was in a grotto and beside me was a man, that persecutor!

From Project Gutenberg

Frederick deposited his gun in a sort of natural grotto formed by a deep opening half concealed by a thick curtain of ivy.

From Project Gutenberg

Average Jones looked down into the hollow with satisfaction, and moved his full canteens into a grotto.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• cavern