Spelunker (2024)

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Spelunker? ›

Meaning of spelunker in English

: one who makes a hobby of exploring and studying caves.

The word spelunker comes from the Middle English word spelunk, which literally means cave or grotto. Therefore, the word spelunker simply refers to a person who enters a cave, usually for the first time.

To spelunk is to explore natural caves. Geologists do a lot of spelunking. This is a weird-looking word, but it has a simple meaning: to explore natural caves.

…Note that (in this case) the term 'spelunker' denotes someone untrained and unknowledgeable in current exploration techniques, and 'caver' is for those who are. This sentiment is exemplified by bumper stickers and T-shirts displayed by some cavers: "Cavers rescue spelunkers".

noun. a person whose hobby is the exploration and study of caves.

What do you call people who like to recreationally explore caves? Most people believe they're called spelunkers. Using that term for a serious caver, however, is considered a grave insult. Spelunker is a perfectly reputable term coming from the Greek σπήλαιον and Latin spelunca (meaning cave or grotto).

Spelunking is the leisure activity of going into underground caves and tunnels. [US]regional note: in BRIT, use potholing. French Translation of. 'spelunking'

noun. ˈswak. plural -s. chiefly Scottish. : a hard blow : whack.

Examples of spelunking in a Sentence

Her hobbies include hiking, biking, and spelunking. They love to go spelunking.

Who died spelunking? ›

Fatal accident and closure

On November 24, 2009, John Edward Jones (January 21, 1983 – November 25, 2009) became stuck and subsequently died in the cave after being trapped inside for 27–28 hours.

For those that do it simply for the adrenaline rush, it can be considered spelunking. Whereas, for those that enjoy exploring caves from a conservation or biological standpoint, that can be considered caving. However, this differs from the scientific study of caves, which is called speleology.

A spelunker is an explorer of caves. If you hope to one day be a spelunker, you probably have a love of dark, damp spaces and headlamps.

noun. spe·​lunk·​ing spi-ˈləŋ-kiŋ ˈspē-ˌləŋ- : the hobby or practice of exploring caves.

Why is Missouri called a "spelunker's paradise"? There are 5,600 caves featuring stalactites, stalagmites, cave life, and fossil remains. The tourist map of Missouri is also called a geopolitical map.