What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
cave
Example
The explorers ventured deep into the cave, discovering ancient rock formations. [cave: noun]
Example
We decided to cave in for the night to seek shelter from the storm. [cave: verb]
cavern
Example
The tour guide led us through the magnificent cavern, pointing out stalactites and stalagmites. [cavern: noun]
Example
The ancient civilization used the cavern as a sacred site for their rituals. [cavern: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Cave is more commonly used than cavern in everyday language. Cave is a versatile word that covers a wide range of contexts, while cavern is more specialized and typically used in specific situations such as tourism or archaeology.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between cave and cavern?
While cave is generally associated with a casual and informal tone, cavern can be used in both formal and informal contexts. Cavern is often used in scientific or technical discussions, as well as in the context of tourism or historical sites.
