Home › Words › S › speleologyspeleologyspeleology · noun — the scientific study of caves.Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 3.0).Among words judged in Lexicurio's Arena, speleology ranks #2,514 of 43,252 for Qualifying.EtymologyFrom French spéléologie, coined by Émile Rivière in 1890. The word can be broken down as speleo- + -logy.nounThe scientific study of caves.The recreational activity of exploring caves.Definitions & examples from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 3.0).Words closest in meaningBy meaning, not spelling — each word's AI semantic fingerprint, nearest first.speleologist 83% match — A person who studies or explores caves or studies the science of speleology. vs speleology →speleomycology 74% match — The mycology of caves vs speleology →biospeleology 72% match — The biology of organisms that live in caves vs speleology →speleomycological 68% match — Relating to speleomycology vs speleology →spelunking 67% match — The practice or hobby of exploring underground caverns. vs speleology →biospeleologist 65% match — A person whose expertise is biospeleology vs speleology →spelunk 65% match — A cave, cavern or grotto. vs speleology →caving 64% match — The recreational sport of exploring caves. vs speleology →