spelunker

[ spi-luhng-ker ]

/ spɪˈlʌŋ kər /

noun

a person who explores caves, especially as a hobby.

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Origin of spelunker

1940–45; < Latin spēlunc(a) cave (≪ Greek spêlynx, stem spēlyng-, akin to spḗlaion; cf. spelaean) + -er¹

OTHER WORDS FROM spelunker

spe·lunk·ing, noun

Words nearby spelunker

spelling reform, spellman, spelt, spelter, spelunk, spelunker, spemann, spence, spencer, spencer gulf, spencerian

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

British Dictionary definitions for spelunker

spelunker

/ (spɪˈlʌŋkə) /

noun

a person whose hobby is the exploration and study of caves

Derived forms of spelunker

spelunking, noun

Word Origin for spelunker

C20: from Latin spēlunca, from Greek spēlunx a cave

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012