How to pronounce "cave" in EnglishNoun
keɪv
KAYV
Primary stress: KAYV
We haven’t indexed spoken video clips for this word in our library yet. You can listen to its audio pronunciation, review phonetic IPA, and check definitions below.
No video clips indexed yet for “cave”
We haven’t indexed spoken video clips for this word in our library yet. You can listen to its audio pronunciation, review phonetic IPA, and check definitions below.
Linguistic Pronunciation Masterclass: “cave”
Phonetic mechanics, syllable architecture, and conversational cadence
Syllable Architecture & Stress Distribution
KAYV
Gliding diphthong with sustained vocal resonance.
As a single-syllable word, "cave" receives full primary stress when spoken in isolation, though it may take a reduced weak form in connected speech when acting as a function word.
Common Pronunciation Traps & Learner Mistakes
The Trap: Single-syllable words like "cave" carry primary acoustic prominence in isolation, but can be swallowed in rapid connected speech.
How Native Speakers Say It: Sustain vowel clarity without rushing into the trailing consonant. Elevate pitch slightly when "cave" carries the primary contrast or new information in a sentence.
Connected Speech & Natural Conversational Flow
When followed by a vowel, insert a subtle glide (/w/ or /j/) to connect into the subsequent word without an abrupt glottal stop.
In natural sentences, avoid over-stressing "cave" unless it conveys the core contrast or focal point of your message.
Practice Speaking “cave”
Listen to native pronunciation, record yourself repeating the sentence into your microphone, and receive real-time word-by-word accuracy scoring.
We found a cave on the mountainside where we could take shelter.
Hear it in context: “cave”
The English word “cave” is transcribed in the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) as keɪv (phonetic respelling: KAYV). Phonologically, it consists of 1 syllable (KAYV), pronounced as a single stressed monosyllable. Grammatically, “cave” functions as a noun, verb, interjection and acts as an English heteronym where syllable stress shifts between noun (initial-syllable stress) and verb (second-syllable stress) usage. Hear native speakers say cave in context across real video clips
Definition & Meaning: “cave”
- A large, naturally-occurring cavity formed underground or in the face of a cliff or a hillside.
- A hole, depression, or gap in earth or rock, whether natural or man-made.
- To surrender.
- To collapse.
- look out!; beware!
Example Sentences (2)
- “We found a cave on the mountainside where we could take shelter.”
- “Every boy at one time or another has dug a cave; I suppose because ages and ages ago his ancestors had to live in caves, […]”
Pronounce: “cave”
- Pronunciation:
- KAYV
- Syllables:
- KAYV
- Written Hyphenation:
- cave
- Primary stress:
- KAYV
- IPA:
- keɪv
- Hear it in context
- cave
Words that Rhyme with “cave”
-eɪvWords that Sound Identical (Homophones)
Unique Sound"cave" (⁄keɪv⁄) has no true homophones in standard English — there are no other words with identical pronunciation. Unlike sound-alike pairs like there / their or peace / piece, "cave" has a completely distinct phonetic identity.
Frequently asked questions about cave
How do you pronounce “cave”?
“cave” is pronounced ⁄keɪv⁄ (KAYV). Listen to the audio pronunciation above to hear it spoken clearly.
Where is the stress in “cave”?
The primary stress in “cave” is on “KAYV”.
What does “cave” mean?
A large, naturally-occurring cavity formed underground or in the face of a cliff or a hillside.
What is the most common pronunciation mistake when saying “cave”?
Single-syllable words like "cave" carry primary acoustic prominence in isolation, but can be swallowed in rapid connected speech. Sustain vowel clarity without rushing into the trailing consonant. Elevate pitch slightly when "cave" carries the primary contrast or new information in a sentence.