cavernous

adjective

cav·​ern·​ous ˈka-vər-nəs 

1

a

: having caverns or cavities

b

of animal tissue : composed largely of vascular sinuses and capable of dilating with blood to bring about the erection of a body part

2

: constituting or suggesting a cavern

a cavernous warehouse

cavernously adverb

Examples of cavernous in a Sentence

We toured the cavernous airplane hangar.

The dance was held in a cavernous hall.

Recent Examples on the Web

Otherwise, these headphones represent pristine tech that delivers the cavernous bass sound that JBL is known for. —Stackcommerce Team (sponsored), PCMAG, 10 June 2024

Hours before the show, the club feels sleepy and cavernous. —Ernesto Lechner, Los Angeles Times, 6 June 2024

Their kisses, which produce a rhythmic smacking sound, echo through the otherwise silent, cavernous soundstage. —Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 4 June 2024

The cavernous Building 1 — nearly 300,000 square feet, and still empty on Monday — was the location of the ribbon-cutting event. —Jc Reindl, Detroit Free Press, 3 June 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, borrowed from Middle French & Latin; Middle French, borrowed from Latin cavernōsus "having hollows or depressions," from caverna "hollow space, cavern entry 1" + -ōsus -ous

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

cavernous

adjective

cav·​ern·​ous ˈkav-ər-nəs 

1

: having caverns or cavities

2

: resembling a cavern in being large and hollow

3

: composed largely of spaces capable of filling with blood to bring about the enlargement of a body part

cavernously adverb

Medical Definition

cavernous

adjective

cav·​ern·​ous ˈkav-ər-nəs 

1

: having caverns or cavities

2

of tissue : composed largely of vascular sinuses and capable of dilating with blood to bring about the erection of a body part