grotto

noun grot·to \ ˈgrä-(ˌ)tō \

Updated on: 24 Apr 2018

Definition of grotto

plural grottoes also grottos

1 : cave

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

See grotto defined for English-language learners

See grotto defined for kids

Examples of grotto in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples of grotto from the Web

Bernadette saw Mother Mary in the grotto at Lourdes.

— philip chard, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Spending time in nature is essential for human beings," 19 Apr. 2018
The grotto’s simple stone walls were a startling contrast with the leave-no-surface-undecorated church.

— alice short, latimes.com, "Savoring the multiple personalities of Malta," 8 Apr. 2018
Shop Artist Dimitris Koliousis paints traditional icons in a grotto-like studio.

— alexander lobrano, Town & Country, "The Ultimate Travel Guide to Mykonos, Hydra, and Santorini," 5 June 2017
Its version includes narration by Jeremy Sams, and actress Antonia Christophers, daughter of Harry, pithily described the swans, grottos, and chariots that would have filled the stage.

— zoë madonna, BostonGlobe.com, "Handel and Haydn ‘Fairy Queen’ is delightful," 7 Apr. 2018
The snow grotto is part of the hot-cold ritual available in the spa of the Viking Sun.

— marjie lambert, miamiherald, "This cruise ship has no casino, no water slides, no karaoke and no kids. We like it.," 1 Feb. 2018
Every spring for the past eight years, residents from the neighboring Obergoms area have trekked up the Swiss mountain to wrap thermal blankets around parts of the glacier and the ice grotto carved inside it.

— helena bachmann, USA TODAY, "The Swiss found a way to save this glacier from melting: Wrap it in a giant blanket," 13 Mar. 2018
Then there’s that craven, lawless grotto known as The Comments Section.

— noelle hancock, Cosmopolitan, "I Wrote an Essay About Moving to an Island and Scooping Ice Cream. I Wasn't Prepared for the Response.," 25 Aug. 2016
Behind one these was a small grotto filled with electrical equipment.

— alexander nazaryan, Newsweek, "New York City Would Really Rather Not Talk About Its Slavery-Loving Past," 15 Apr. 2015

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'grotto.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of grotto

Italian grotta, grotto, from Latin crypta cavern, crypt

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1617

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

grotto Synonyms

Synonyms

cave, cavern, grot;

Related Words

abyss, chasm, gulf, hollow;

crawlway, gallery, subway, tunnel;

excavation, mine, pit, shaft, well;

bunker, dugout, foxhole;

burrow, covert, den, hole, lair, lodge, shelter;

Other Geology Terms

anthracite, boulder, cwm, erratic, igneous, intrusive, mesa, sedimentary, silt, swale

GROTTO Defined for English Language Learners

grotto

noun

Definition of grotto for English Language Learners

: a small cave

GROTTO Defined for Kids

grotto

noun grot·to \ ˈgrä-tō \

Definition of grotto for Students

plural grottoes

1 : ¹cave, cavern

2 : an artificial structure like a cave

Learn More about grotto

See words that rhyme with grotto Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for grotto Spanish Central: Translation of grotto Nglish: Translation of grotto for Spanish speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about grotto

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grotto

Definition of grotto

Examples of grotto in a Sentence

Recent Examples of grotto from the Web

Origin and Etymology of grotto

grotto Synonyms

Synonyms

Related Words

Other Geology Terms

GROTTO Defined for English Language Learners

grotto

Definition of grotto for English Language Learners

GROTTO Defined for Kids

grotto

Definition of grotto for Students

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