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Spelunker: meaning, definitions and examples

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spelunker

 

[ spəˈlʌŋkər ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

cave exploration

A spelunker is a person who explores caves for amusement or as a hobby. The term often refers to amateur cave explorers who may not be scientifically trained but have a passion for subterranean environments. Spelunking is typically more focused on surface exploration, while caving can imply deeper, more technical excursions.

Synonyms

cave enthusiast, cave explorer, caver

Examples of usage

  • The spelunker carefully navigated the intricate cave system.
  • During the summer, many spelunkers gather for expeditions in the local caverns.
  • Spelunkers often document their findings for future research.

Translations

Translations of the word "spelunker" in other languages:

🇵🇹 espeleólogo

🇮🇳 गुफा अन्वेषक

🇩🇪 Höhlenforscher

🇮🇩 penjelajah gua

🇺🇦 спелеолог

🇵🇱 jaskiniowiec

🇯🇵 洞窟探検家

🇫🇷 spéléologue

🇪🇸 espeleólogo

🇹🇷 mağara araştırmacısı

🇰🇷 동굴 탐험가

🇸🇦 مستكشف الكهوف

🇨🇿 jeskynář

🇸🇰 jeskyňar

🇨🇳 洞穴探险者

🇸🇮 jamaš

🇮🇸 hella rannsóknarmaður

🇰🇿 үңгір зерттеушісі

🇬🇪 მღვიმის მკვლევარი

🇦🇿 mağara tədqiqatçısı

🇲🇽 espeleólogo

Etymology

The term 'spelunker' originates from the Latin word 'spelunca', which means cave. This word evolved through Latin into various languages, including French and Middle English, before arriving in modern English. The usage of 'spelunker' became more popular in the 1950s when cave exploration gained traction as a hobby and a way to study geology and natural history. While the word often has connotations of casual exploration, it has also been debated among underground enthusiasts, with some distinguishing between 'spelunkers' and 'cavers' based on skill and training levels. Today, spelunking is considered a accessible activity that can engage a variety of people, from families to adventure seekers.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #42,566, this word is among the least frequently used in common English. Understanding it can be beneficial for comprehensive language mastery, but it's not essential for most learners.