cavernous

adjective

cav·ern·ous ˈka-vər-nəs

Synonyms of cavernous

: having caverns or cavities

of animal tissue : composed largely of vascular sinuses and capable of dilating with blood to bring about the erection of a body part

: constituting or suggesting a cavern

a cavernous warehouse

cavernously adverb

Examples of cavernous in a Sentence

We toured the cavernous airplane hangar. The dance was held in a cavernous hall.

Recent Examples on the Web

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

To its credit, Oschin architect ZGF has done its best to keep the shuttle gallery’s dark, cavernous architecture in the background; focusing attention on the Endeavour while transporting visitors to another realm. — Los Angeles Times, 27 Oct. 2026 Dressed in fatigues on the play’s cavernous, military hangar-like set and sporting a slight Southern accent, Whitford’s Jessep feels a world away from Josh Lyman. — David MacK, CNN Money, 25 Oct. 2026 On Saturday, with the usual early season smattering of fans lost in the cavernous Yale Bowl, Dante Reno didn’t have another comeback or miracle game in him. — Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 18 Oct. 2026 Next up is a house tour, from the cavernous, all-white living room to a glimpse of the ornate indoor pool, with V lamenting that the place is so huge he sometimes gets lost. — Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 15 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for cavernous

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, borrowed from Middle French & Latin; Middle French, borrowed from Latin cavernōsus "having hollows or depressions," from caverna "hollow space, cavern entry 1" + -ōsus -ous

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler

The first known use of cavernous was in the 15th century

See more words from the same century

Cite this Entry

Style

“Cavernous.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cavernous. Accessed 29 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

cavernous

adjective

cav·ern·ous ˈkav-ər-nəs

: having caverns or cavities

: resembling a cavern in being large and hollow

: composed largely of spaces capable of filling with blood to bring about the enlargement of a body part

cavernously adverb

Medical Definition

cavernous

adjective

cav·ern·ous ˈkav-ər-nəs

: having caverns or cavities

of tissue : composed largely of vascular sinuses and capable of dilating with blood to bring about the erection of a body part

cavernous

adjective

Examples of cavernous in a Sentence

Word History

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Cite this Entry

Kids Definition

Medical Definition

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