grave

1 of 2

verb (1)

ˈgrāv 

graved; graven ˈgrā-vən  or graved; graving

transitive verb

1

a

: to carve or cut (something, such as letters or figures) into a hard surface : engrave

graved the dates of his birth and death on the headstone

b

: to carve or shape with a chisel : sculpture

2

: to impress or fix (a thought, a memory, etc.) deeply

3

archaic : dig, excavate

grave

2 of 2

verb (2)

ˈgrāv 

graved; graving

transitive verb

: to clean and pay with pitch

grave a ship's bottom

Synonyms of grave

Verb (1)

• etch
• inscribe
• engrave
• carve

Examples of grave in a Sentence

Verb (1)

the doomed climber graved his initials into the rock face

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Las acciones de Google son especialmente insensibles y graves ante el cierre administrativo temporal del gobierno (shutdown), ignorando las peticiones de funcionarios gubernamentales y organizaciones hispanas que les solicitaron mantener la programación de Univision en el paquete principal. —Todd Spangler, Variety, 1 Oct. 2025

Better yet, the superstar—who recently graved our TV screens on The White Lotus—worked with stylist Brett Alan Nelson to deliver custom outfits for the set. —Christian Allaire, Vogue, 19 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Verb (1)

Middle English, from Old English grafan; akin to Old High German graban to dig, Old Church Slavic pogreti to bury

Verb (2)

Middle English graven

First Known Use

Verb (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Verb (2)

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing grave

• a watery grave
• beyond the grave
• dig one's own grave
• drive (someone) to an early grave
• drove him to an early grave
• from (the) cradle to (the) grave
• go to one's grave
• grave robber
• have one foot in the grave
• swear on one's mother's grave

Rhymes for grave

• brave
• cave
• clave
• crave
• fave
• gave
• knave
• lave
• nave
• pave
• rave
• shave

Kids Definition

grave

1 of 4 verb

ˈgrāv 

graved; graven ˈgrā-vən  or graved; graving

1

: carve sense 1, sculpture

2

: engrave sense 1a

grave

2 of 4 noun

1

: a hole dug to bury a body in

2

: tomb sense 2

grave

3 of 4 adjective

ˈgrāv

in sense 3 often ˈgräv

1

a

: deserving serious consideration : important

a grave matter

b

: threatening great harm or danger

received a grave injury

2

: dignified in appearance or manner : solemn, serious

a grave and thoughtful look

3

: of, marked by, or being an accent mark having the form `

gravely adverb

graveness noun

grave

4 of 4 adverb or adjective

gra·​ve

ˈgräv-(ˌ)ā

: in a slow and solemn manner

—used as a direction in music

Etymology

Verb

Old English grafan "dig, carve"

Adjective

from early French grave "important, serious, weighty," from Latin gravis "heavy, serious" — related to aggravate, gravity, grieve

Medical Definition

grave

adjective

ˈgrāv 

: very serious : dangerous to life

—used of an illness or its prospects

a grave prognosis