Word
cavity
Phoneticscav·i·ty, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈkævəti/
UK/kˈævɪti/
Definitions
01a hollow space
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun
n. a hollow space or empty area inside a solid object.
n. a hollow space or void within a solid object or structure.
“The explorers found a small cavity in the rock wall where they could hide from the rain.”
“Engineers discovered a structural cavity within the concrete foundation that required immediate reinforcement to prevent further settling.”
Antonyms
02in a tooth
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun Medicine
n. a hole in a tooth caused by decay.
n. a lesion or hole in a tooth resulting from dental caries.
Español:caries
“The dentist told me I had a small cavity because I ate too many sweets.”
“Regular dental check-ups are essential for detecting a cavity before the decay reaches the sensitive nerve of the tooth.”
Usage
Often used with the verbs 'fill' or 'drill'.
Synonyms
03body space
C1 · Advanced Countable noun Medicine Technical
n. a space inside the body that holds organs.
n. a fluid-filled or air-filled space in an animal body that houses internal organs.
“The lungs are located inside the chest cavity.”
“The surgeon carefully examined the abdominal cavity for any signs of internal bleeding following the accident.”
Usage
Commonly modified by anatomical adjectives like 'abdominal', 'thoracic', or 'nasal'.
Teaching tip
This is a technical term used by doctors and scientists; in everyday conversation, people usually just name the body part.
Real-World Examples
“Next, the team put her skull through a CT scanner to create high-resolution images of her nasal cavity.” “In many four-legged animals, that job falls to the vomeronasal organ , a small structure in the nasal cavity.” Etymology
From Middle French cavité or Late Latin cavitās, from cav(i) (“hollow, excavated, concave”) + -tās (“-ity”, nominal suffix). First attested in the Mid-16th c.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Domains
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
- アルファベット
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/cavity
Traducciones: Kaikki.org (Wiktionary), CC BY-SA 4.0