Meaning & use
cavities
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“cavities” is a form of “cavity”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
nounplural
Holes that have decayed into the hard surface of a tooth.
Grammar: Countable noun; the singular is 'a cavity'. Usually used in the plural when talking about dental problems in general.
Patterns
- have cavities
- get cavities
- fill a cavity
The dentist found two small cavities in my back teeth.
Children who drink a lot of sugary soda often get cavities.
She had her cavities filled last week and can chew normally again.
nounpluraltechnical
Empty spaces or hollow areas inside a solid object or body.
Grammar: Countable and technical in this sense; the singular 'cavity' is used for one space.
Patterns
- cavities in something
- fill a cavity
The walls have air cavities that keep the house warm in winter.
Doctors examined the cavities inside the patient's chest.
nounpluralmedical
A natural hollow space in a part of the body, such as the chest or mouth.
Grammar: Countable; often part of fixed medical names like 'the oral cavity'.
Patterns
- the nasal cavity
- the chest cavity
The nasal cavities warm the air before it reaches the lungs.
An infection had spread through the cavities of his sinuses.
Word forms
| singular | cavity |
|---|
Common combinations
- dental cavities
- Regular brushing helps prevent dental cavities.
- get cavities
- If you snack on sweets all day, you will get cavities.
- fill a cavity
- The dentist filled the cavity in less than ten minutes.
- cavities in the teeth
- X-rays showed cavities in the teeth at the back.
- prevent cavities
- Fluoride toothpaste helps prevent cavities.
Synonyms and how they differ
- tooth decay
- Names the process or disease rather than the hole itself, so it fits sentences like 'sugar causes tooth decay'.
- hole
- A general word for any opening; it is too vague in medical or dental contexts, where 'cavity' is expected.
- hollow
- Refers to a space or a dip, often in the ground or in a surface, not to decay in a tooth.
Opposites
Word family
- cavity noun
- The singular form: one decayed hole or one hollow space.
- cavitation noun
- A technical term for the forming of bubbles or holes in a liquid or solid.
Commonly confused: cavities or cavity? cavities or cavalry?
cavities vs cavity
This is simply the singular; use 'cavity' for one hole and 'cavities' for two or more.
cavities vs cavalry
Sounds similar but means soldiers who fight on horseback or in armored vehicles.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'cavities' correctly?
Choose one answer.
'Cavities' is a plural noun meaning decayed holes in teeth, so it fits 'three cavities'. Option 2 confuses it with 'cavalry', option 3 wrongly uses it as a verb, and option 4 uses a plural noun with the singular 'a'.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “cavities”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.