grave
/ɡreɪv/ (bre, ipa) · [ɡrˈev] /ɡreɪv/ (ame, ipa) · [ɡrˈev] /ˈgrāv/ (ame, mw)
grave — noun
- gravesingular
- gravesplural
1. A space dug into the earth to hold the body of someone who has died, usually clo
A space dug into the earth to hold the body of someone who has died, usually closed with soil and marked above with a stone or a sign.
Élise visits her grandmother's grave every week and leaves fresh flowers there.
collocation: visit a grave
The old churchyard had moss-covered graves that dated back more than two hundred years.
collocation: moss-covered grave
After the funeral, Baraka's family stood by the grave while the priest said a prayer.
Workers dug a new grave in the corner of the cemetery for the next morning's burial.
A single candle burned on the grave, lighting up the name carved in dark stone.
- tomb
A tomb is a larger, more elaborate structure, often above ground or inside a building, while a grave is a simple hole in the ground.
- burial site
More formal term that can refer to any place where a body is buried, including a grave.
- resting place
Softer, more respectful way of referring to a grave or burial location.
常見錯誤
2. The state of being dead, used in writing or formal speech as a gentle or express
The state of being dead, used in writing or formal speech as a gentle or expressive way to talk about death itself.
The poet wrote about what lies beyond the grave in her final collection of poems.
collocation: beyond the grave
From the cradle to the grave, the minister said, every life has meaning and purpose.
fixed phrase: from the cradle to the grave
A letter from Shirin's grandfather arrived after the old man's death, as if speaking from beyond the grave.
Jiwoo promised to guard the family's secret until she was carried to the grave.
- death
The direct, neutral term; 'grave' in this sense is a more poetic or formal substitute.
- the afterlife
Refers specifically to existence after death, whereas 'the grave' can simply mean death with no implication of what follows.
文法句型
the grave
beyond the grave
from the cradle to the grave
用法筆記
Typically used with the definite article ('the grave') and found in literary, religious, or formal contexts rather than everyday conversation.
常見錯誤
3. A small sloping symbol ( ` ) that writers place above a vowel letter in certain
A small sloping symbol ( ` ) that writers place above a vowel letter in certain writing systems to indicate a particular sound or tone.
In French, the word père has a grave accent over the letter e.
pattern: grave accent over [vowel]
Students of Italian quickly learn when to place a grave accent on a final vowel.
pattern: place a grave accent on [vowel]
The grave accent above the e in très changes how the word is pronounced.
Unlike the acute accent, the grave accent slopes downward from left to right.
- grave accent mark
Fuller name for the same symbol, used when extra clarity is needed.
- acute accent
The acute accent (´) slopes upwards from left to right, opposite to the grave accent.
用法筆記
This sense is restricted to linguistics and language-learning contexts. In everyday English, 'grave' almost never refers to this accent mark.
grave — adjective
- gravepositive
- gravercomparative
- gravestsuperlative
1. So bad, important, or dangerous that it causes deep worry about what might happe
So bad, important, or dangerous that it causes deep worry about what might happen next.
The doctor told the family that the patient's condition was grave and needed immediate surgery.
collocation: grave condition
Climate change is a grave threat to coastal cities that could see flooding within decades.
collocation: grave threat
The judge's voice was grave as she announced the sentence to the crowded courtroom.
Making that mistake could have grave consequences for the company's future financial health.
Tomás realized the grave nature of the situation when police officers surrounded the building.
- serious
Broader and more neutral; 'grave' suggests a higher level of danger or urgency.
- severe
Focuses on the intensity or degree of something bad, while 'grave' focuses on the harmful potential or outcome.
- critical
Used when a situation has reached a make-or-break point, especially in medicine or business.
用法筆記
Commonly used with nouns describing negative outcomes: 'grave concern', 'grave danger', 'grave mistake'. Less common in modern English to describe positive seriousness (e.g., 'grave opportunity' sounds unnatural).
常見錯誤
2. Describing a person's look, behaviour, or tone of voice when they are deeply ear
Describing a person's look, behaviour, or tone of voice when they are deeply earnest and without any humour, typically because of a tragic or weighty event.
The priest's face was grave as he walked toward the family at the church door.
collocation: grave face
Niran listened with a grave expression while the manager explained the budget problems.
collocation: grave expression
Gita's voice was grave when she told the children about their grandfather's illness.
The ambassador kept a grave demeanor throughout the meeting on the border conflict.
- solemn
Very close in meaning; 'solemn' often suggests a more formal or ceremonial seriousness, while 'grave' can be more personal.
- somber
Emphasizes a dark or sad mood, whereas 'grave' focuses on the serious, dignified quality.
- serious
The broadest term; 'grave' is stronger, implying a heavier emotional weight.
- cheerful
Light-hearted and happy, the opposite of a grave manner.
- lighthearted
Showing amusement and lack of concern, opposite to the seriousness of a grave demeanor.
用法筆記
Distinguish from the SERIOUS sense (adj/1): this sense describes a person's expression or manner, while adj/1 describes the severity of a situation or problem.
grave — verb
- gravepresent simple I / you / we / they
- graves3rd person singular
- graving-ing form
- gravedpast simple
1. To cut shapes, letters, or pictures onto a solid material such as stone, metal,
To cut shapes, letters, or pictures onto a solid material such as stone, metal, or wood by using a sharp tool.
The artist graved the family name into the surface of the marble stone by hand.
pattern: grave [text] into [surface]
Ancient Romans graved messages onto thin sheets of metal using a pointed iron tool.
pattern: grave [text] onto [material]
The jeweler graved fine patterns onto the band of the silver wedding ring.
Workers graved the date of the monument's completion into its stone base.
- engrave
The modern equivalent; 'engrave' is used much more frequently in contemporary English.
- carve
Broader term that can include shaping as well as cutting designs; 'grave' specifically suggests cutting into a hard surface.
- etch
Usually involves using acid or a sharp needle, often on metal or glass, rather than chiselling into stone.
文法句型
grave [text/pattern] into/onto [surface]
用法筆記
This verb is now rare in everyday English; 'engrave' or 'carve' is far more common in modern speech and writing.