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Definition of spelunker

spelunker

/spɪˈlʌŋ.kɚ/
spe · lun · ker
Plural:spelunkers
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spelunker Lexical Profile

spelunker Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

North American A person who explores and studies caves, especially as a hobby or recreational pastime.

Example

"The experienced spelunker checked her headlamp and ropes before descending into the limestone cavern."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for spelunker

Word Nuance & Usage

Among experienced cave explorers in the United States, "caver" is the preferred term for a trained, safety-conscious practitioner, whereas "spelunker" is sometimes used disparagingly for an unprepared amateur.

• Rhymes for spelunker

• Nearby Words

speller
spelling
spelt
spelunker
spelunking
spencer
spend

Word Origin & Etymology

Coined in American English in the late 1930s by Roger W. Brucker and others from Latin spelunca ('cave, cavern'), which itself derives from Ancient Greek spelynx.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Spelunker. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/spelunker
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