caving: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Specialist, Technical, Informal (in extended sense)
Quick answer
What does “caving” mean?
The recreational sport or activity of exploring underground cave systems, especially potholing.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The recreational sport or activity of exploring underground cave systems, especially potholing.
The process of collapse or yielding of a structure or material, such as a roof, wall, or tunnel; can also refer informally to the act of giving in or capitulating under pressure.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In the UK, the sport is also widely called 'potholing'. In the US, the term 'caving' is standard, with 'spelunking' being a dated or more amateurish synonym. The secondary meaning of structural collapse is shared but more common in technical registers.
Connotations
UK: Associated with outdoor adventure clubs, often limestone regions like Yorkshire or the Peak District. US: Associated with extensive cave systems like Mammoth Cave; 'spelunking' can sound less serious.
Frequency
The primary meaning (sport) is moderately low-frequency in both, but well-known. The extended/technical meaning is low-frequency in general discourse.
Grammar
How to Use “caving” in a Sentence
[Subject] go caving[Subject] is caving (in [Location])The [Subject] is caving in (intransitive)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “caving” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- We plan to go caving in the Dales next month.
- The old mine roof is caving in dangerously.
American English
- He took up caving after moving near Carlsbad Caverns.
- The negotiators refused to cave under pressure.
adjective
British English
- She bought a new caving headlamp.
- The civing community was shocked by the accident.
American English
- They offer caving tours for beginners.
- Proper caving equipment is essential.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except metaphorically: 'The management caved in to union demands.'
Academic
Found in geology, geography, and sports science papers discussing speleology or karst landscapes.
Everyday
Used by enthusiasts: 'We're going caving this weekend.' Also informal: 'He finally caved and agreed.'
Technical
Used in civil/geotechnical engineering and mining: 'Risk of tunnel caving.'
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “caving”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “caving”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “caving”
- Using 'caving' to mean 'creating a cave' (incorrect).
- Confusing 'He is caving' (the sport) with 'The roof is caving' (collapsing) without context.
- Using 'spelunking' in formal UK contexts.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
In modern American English, 'caving' is the preferred term for the recreational activity. 'Spelunking' is considered somewhat dated or used for more casual, less technical exploration.
No. 'Caving' primarily functions as a deverbal noun (the activity), but it also appears as the present participle/gerund of the verb 'cave', as in 'The roof is caving in' or 'He enjoys caving'.
In British English, they are largely synonymous. Some purists use 'potholing' specifically for exploring vertical cave systems (potholes), and 'caving' for horizontal ones, but in common usage they are interchangeable.
In its literal sense (structural collapse), yes. In its metaphorical sense (yielding), it often carries a mildly negative connotation of weakness or capitulation, but can be neutral depending on context.
The recreational sport or activity of exploring underground cave systems, especially potholing.
Caving is usually specialist, technical, informal (in extended sense) in register.
Caving: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkeɪvɪŋ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkeɪvɪŋ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “caving in (to pressure/demands)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine CAVING as the act of going INTO a CAVE + ING (the activity).
Conceptual Metaphor
PRESSURE IS A PHYSICAL FORCE CAUSING COLLAPSE ('caving in to pressure').
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary meaning of 'caving'?