grotto

noun

grot·​to ˈgrä-(ˌ)tō 

plural grottoes also grottos

1

: cave

2

: an artificial recess or structure made to resemble a natural cave

Synonyms

• antre
• cave
• cavern
• delve [archaic]
• grot

Examples of grotto in a Sentence

at the heart of the shrine is a small rocky grotto into which pilgrims can descend

Recent Examples on the Web

Located in Ocho Rios on 35 oceanfront acres, the romantic resort offers its own mineral grotto and spring pool for rejuvenating dips. —Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 24 Nov. 2024

There are grottoes and twisting and turning paths, affording views of some venerable neighboring buildings, including the tower of the Madonna dell’Orto, which contains some of the most beautiful Tintoretto paintings in the world. —Everett Potter, Forbes, 10 Oct. 2024

Despite the family’s best efforts—for the past decade, the blankets have covered the glacier year-round—the ice grotto may only be around for a couple more years. —Michael Hardy, WIRED, 26 May 2020

The grotto can preserve cheeses up to three times longer by mimicking a cheese-aging cave’s microclimate. —Kaila Yu, Forbes, 28 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Italian grotta, grotto, from Latin crypta cavern, crypt

First Known Use

1617, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

grotto

noun

grot·​to ˈgrät-ō 

plural grottoes also grottos

1

: cave entry 1

2

: an artificial structure made to resemble a natural cave

Etymology

from Italian grotta, grotto "cave," from Latin crypta "cavern, crypt" — related to grotesque