# grotto

/ˈɡɹɑˌtoʊ/ (US) · /ɡɹˈɒtəʊ/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/grotto
Updated: 2026-05-19

## Definition

a small cave or a room that looks like a cave. It is often used to describe a place where people keep plants or have a small pool of water.

For teachers: a small cave or a room designed to resemble a cave. Often used in the context of horticulture to describe a structure for growing plants in a humid environment.

## Examples

- The children played in the small grotto behind the house.
- The garden features a beautiful grotto with a small waterfall and a pool of clear water.
- Archaeologists discovered a hidden grotto beneath the ruins, revealing ancient carvings that suggested the site was once a sacred sanctuary for the local community.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.