grotto

[ grot-oh ]

noun

, plural grot·toes, grot·tos.

1. a cave or cavern.
2. an artificial cavernlike recess or structure.

grotto

/ ˈɡrɒtəʊ /

noun

1. a small cave, esp one with attractive features
2. a construction in the form of a cave, esp as in landscaped gardens during the 18th century

Other Words From

• grottoed adjective
• grotto·like adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of grotto¹

1610–20; < Italian grotta < Vulgar Latin *crupta, for Latin crypta subterranean passage, chamber. See crypt

Word History and Origins

Origin of grotto¹

C17: from Old Italian grotta, from Late Latin crypta vault; see crypt

Example Sentences

A short distance away is a shelf of vintage mystery paperbacks that, when pressed in the correct spots, opens onto a kind of grotto.

From Los Angeles Times

It felt like sifting through the treasures inside Ariel’s’ underwater grotto; even the tiniest trinket was etched with perfect, arcane meaning.

From Salon

Three months ago, the grotto looked like a desert rock formation studded with pink Chiclets.

From New York Times

Mark Roberts, 62, started his new job during the Covid pandemic and has spent thousands of pounds on his suit, sleigh, reindeer and grotto.

From BBC

Her roles included helping to run the toy shop where the park's Santa had his grotto.

From BBC

Related Words

• cavern