Cavernous

Cavernous describes a space or object that is vast, hollow, and often dark like a cave (cavern). It evokes a feeling of immense size and emptiness. This word frequently highlights the echoes and the perceived lack of objects that further emphasize the hollowness of the space. 'Cavernous' can be used literally to describe a physical space, such as a cave or a large room, or figuratively to describe abstract qualities like the depths of one's emotions or a feeling of extreme emptiness. The term is also used in architecture and design to critique interior spaces where scale dwarfs human experience, where something might be 'too big'.

Cavernous meaning with examples

• The abandoned warehouse was cavernous, its high ceilings disappearing into the shadows and the sound of our footsteps echoing eerily. Sunlight barely penetrated the grimy windows. Dust motes danced in the few rays, illuminating the empty space and emphasizing its scale, heightening the feeling of desolation.
• Stepping into the opera house, the theatre felt cavernous. The ornate details were lost in the grand scale of the building. The plush seats swallowed you whole as you went down the aisles and the vastness of the dome felt overwhelming before the performance started.
• After the fire, the church interior was cavernous. The roof was gone and the burnt beams created a dark, empty space. The silence was punctuated only by the creaking of the old walls, and it was hard to imagine its former glory.
• Lost in the underground labyrinth, the adventurers felt dwarfed by the cavernous passageways. Their torches cast long, dancing shadows on the walls, the stone seemed to go on endlessly. The humid air and echo made every step ominous.