grotto

American  

[grot-oh] / ˈgrɒt oʊ /

noun

plural

grottoes, grottos

1. a cave or cavern.

2. an artificial cavernlike recess or structure.

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grotto British  

/ 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

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Other Word Forms

• grottoed adjective
• grottolike adjective

Etymology

Origin of grotto

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

Explanation

A grotto is a small cave, the kind of place where you feel comfortable, cozy, and protected from the harsh realities outside. This word started in Greek (as the word that also gives us crypt), turned into Latin and then Italian, and finally landed in English in the 1600s as grotto. A grotto can be natural or manmade, but either way, it's a small cave or hidden room with cool and inviting features like a comfy floor or round walls. A grotto is a good place to read, write, or just hang out with friends, especially on a hot summer day.

Example Sentences

Then the stage lit up to show a carved-out cave in a cliffside, housing an absolutely killer all-femme backing band in the grotto and a full company of dancers in every hue of the Americas.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 13, 2026

At the side of the playground, there was a square of lawn, with a grotto – a small shrine centred on a statue of Mary.

From BBC • Jul. 12, 2025

The grotto was created from tons of lava rock by rock sculptor and artist Ryozo Fuso Kado.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 25, 2025

Children would build grottos from the shells and pester passers-by for pennies for their efforts, with cries of "Pray remember the grotto!"

From Salon • Jan. 6, 2025

From what she can tell, it’s a low grotto, maybe four yards long and half as wide, shaped like a loaf of bread.

From "All the Light We Cannot See" by Anthony Doerr

Related Words

• cavern