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 of grotto

• cave
• cavern

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

Tucked away in a grotto filtered by the shade of olive trees and Aleppo pine, the facility looks like a game of Jenga, badly played. — Mark Sappenfield, Christian Science Monitor, 6 July 2026

The indoor/outdoor water park has a 900-foot lazy river, tube slides, and a heated grotto. — Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 5 July 2026

The Italian-style grotto is a shady spot to visit on sunny days, with trees sheltering the pool and fountain. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 June 2026

The garden fills a grotto on the north side of the gigantic 387-acre West LA campus, which was donated in 1888 specifically for use by veterans. — Quil Lawrence, NPR, 2 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Italian grotta, grotto, from Latin crypta cavern, crypt

First Known Use

1617, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for grotto

• acknow
• aglow
• ago
• airglow
• aloe
• altho
• although
• ammo
• backflow
• backhoe
• banjo
• barbeau

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