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

The hydrotherapy circuit runs cold plunge pools alongside a jungle-view sauna and a steam room with an ice fountain, plus a mud grotto and a vitality pool. — Winston Ross, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026

Float through an underwater grotto as stingrays and colorful fish swim overhead on the Stingray Falls raft attraction, or get in the water to interact with and even touch these fascinating creatures at Stingray Encounter. — Carly Caramanna, Travel + Leisure, 31 July 2026

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 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

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