tomb

Meanings

1. 1nouncountable

   A place where a dead person is buried, often a stone structure or underground room.

   Grammar: Countable: one tomb, two tombs. Often used with 'in' or 'inside'.

   Patterns

   • in a tomb
   • inside a tomb
   • a tomb for someone

   The archaeologists discovered an ancient tomb beneath the field.

   She was buried in a family tomb outside the village.

   The tomb was decorated with carvings and paintings.

2. 2nouncountable

   A monument or building built over a burial place.

   Grammar: Countable; often used for large, impressive structures.

   Patterns

   • a marble tomb
   • a tomb for a king

   The Taj Mahal is a famous tomb built by a Mughal emperor.

   They visited the tomb of the unknown soldier.

   A large marble tomb stood in the center of the cemetery.

Word forms

Common combinations

ancient tomb

The ancient tomb was hidden in the desert.

tomb raider

The movie is about a tomb raider searching for lost treasure.

family tomb

The family tomb has been in our family for generations.

visit a tomb

Tourists come to visit the tomb every year.

tombstone

The tombstone had the person's name and dates.

Synonyms and how they differ

grave

A grave is a simpler burial place, often just a hole in the ground with a marker; a tomb is usually a built structure or room.

mausoleum

A mausoleum is a large, grand building that contains a tomb or several tombs; it is more specific and impressive.

crypt

A crypt is an underground room, often beneath a church, used for burial; a tomb can be above ground or underground.

Word family

tombstone noun

A stone that marks a grave, usually with the dead person's name.

tomboy noun

A girl who enjoys activities traditionally thought of as for boys.

Commonly confused: tomb or tome? tomb or womb?

Practice

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