grotto

noun

grot·​to ˈgrä-(ˌ)tō How to pronounce grotto (audio)
plural grottoes also grottos
1
: cave
2
: an artificial recess or structure made to resemble a natural cave

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 In Beverly Hills, no kitchen remodels or pool grottoes as judge orders building moratorium over lack of affordable housing. Los Angeles Times, 20 Jan. 2024 Projects that cross the transom of the Beverly Hills building department include the extravagant — pool grottoes and bowling alleys — as well as the more quotidian kitchen and living room upgrades. Liam Dillon, Los Angeles Times, 18 Jan. 2024 The Ritz-Carlton, Bachelor Gulch The Ritz-Carlton, Bachelor Gulch is a secluded oasis with its own grotto and Pilates and yoga studios. Jen Murphy, Travel + Leisure, 13 Feb. 2024 The spa’s indoor grotto pool, for example, has stone walls illuminated by glowing candles, which gives the space a secluded cave-like feel. Sarah Gish, Kansas City Star, 24 Jan. 2024 One tree house has a floating staircase, while another has a hot tub tucked in a natural grotto. Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 31 Jan. 2024 Pontiffs do not have a requirement for burial location — but since the death of St. Pope Pius X in 1914, all popes have been buried in the grotto under St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City. Timothy H.j. Nerozzi Fox News, Fox News, 13 Dec. 2023 The mountainous landscape of the Oaxaca Valley conceals scores of grottoes that during more than 10,000 years of human occupation have served as sanctuaries associated with deities and forces of nature that can be coaxed, flattered or angered by mortals. Franz Lidz Meghan Dhaliwal, New York Times, 23 Dec. 2023 At the grotto, Kate brought a special gift for Sebby’s to give to families — a book that is a favorite of Prince George, 10, Princess Charlotte, 8, and Prince Louis, 5. Simon Perry, Peoplemag, 24 Nov. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'grotto.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Italian grotta, grotto, from Latin crypta cavern, crypt

First Known Use

1617, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of grotto was in 1617

Dictionary Entries Near grotto

Cite this Entry

“Grotto.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/grotto. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

grotto

noun
grot·​to ˈgrät-ō How to pronounce grotto (audio)
plural grottoes also grottos
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

More from Merriam-Webster on grotto

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