Definition
A prehistoric human who lived in caves, especially during the Stone Age; also used humorously to describe someone considered primitive or uncivilized.
Etymology
Compound of 'cave' (from Latin 'cava,' meaning hollow) and 'man.' The term became popular in the 19th century during the height of archaeological discoveries about early humans.
Kelly Says
Most 'cavemen' actually didn't live exclusively in caves—they used them seasonally or for temporary shelter—but the image stuck because caves are where their artifacts survive best, creating a false but persistent mental picture.
Translations
ARالعربية
رجل الكهف
rijul al-kahif
BNবাংলা
গর্তবাসী
gor-ta-ba-see
CACatalà
home de cova
ho-me de ko-va
CSČeština
člověk jeskynní
chlov-ek yes-kin-ni
DADansk
hulemand
hule-mand
DEDeutsch
Höhlenmensch
hoh-lehn-mensh
ELΕλληνικά
άνθρωπος της σπηλιάς
an-thro-pos ti-s pe-li-as
ESEspañol
cavernícola
ka-vern-i-ko-la
FAفارسی
مرد غارنشین
mard ghar-neshin
FISuomi
luolupukki
luol-u-puk-ki
FRFrançais
homme de la caverne
om du la ka-vern
GUGU
ગોખાવાસી
go-kha-va-see
HAHA
mutumun gidan dutse
mu-tu-mun gi-dan du-tse
HEעברית
אדם מה пещеה
adam me-ha-pe-sheh
HIहिन्दी
गुफावासी
gufa-wasi
HUMagyar
barlanglakó
bar-lang-la-ko
IDBahasa Indonesia
orang gua
o-rang gua
IGIG
ndị mmadụ nke ụlọ
ndi mmadụ nke ulo
ITItaliano
uomo di grotta
oo-moh dee grot-ta
KKKK
алдыңғы адам
al-dyng-gy a-dam
KMKM
ប្រជាជន នៃ ហាង
brach-ea-chon neay haang
KO한국어
동굴 사람
dong-gul sa-ram
MRMR
गुहावासी
gu-ha-va-see
MSBahasa Melayu
orang gua
o-rang gua
MYမြန်မာ
ကျောက်ဂူလူမျိုး
chaw-kyat-gu lu-myo
NLNederlands
holbewoner
hol-be-wo-ner
NONorsk
hulemann
hule-man
PAPA
ਭਉੜੀwala
bha-u-ree-wala
PLPolski
mieszkaniec jaskini
mish-ka-ni-ets yas-ki-ni
PTPortuguês
homem da caverna
oh-m-e-d-a-ka-ve-ra
RORomână
om din peșteră
om din pe-ste-ra
RUРусский
человек из пещеры
chelovek iz peshchery
SVSvenska
grottmän
grott-man
SWKiswahili
mwanadam wa kisima
mwa-na-da-am wa ki-si-ma
TAதமிழ்
மலைக்கொட்டக மனிதன்
malai-kotta-ka mani-than
TEతెలుగు
గుహవాసి
gu-ha-va-see
THไทย
คนยุคหิน
kon yuk hin
TLTL
taong-sa-kueba
ta-ong sa-kueba
TRTürkçe
mağara insanı
ma-ga-ra i-san-i
UKУкраїнська
чоловік-пещерник
cholovik-peshch-nik
VITiếng Việt
người trong hang
ngoi trong hang
YOYO
ẹni tí ó ní ìlú
e-ni ti o ni il-u
ZUZU
umuntu wase-ntshonalo
oo-mu-ntu wa-se-ntshona-lo
Ethical Language Guidance
Gender History
The term assumes male as default for prehistoric humans; archaeological evidence shows women were equally central to hunting, tool-making, and survival. Male-default language erases women's historical agency.
Inclusive Usage
Use 'prehistoric human,' 'early human,' or specify 'caveman/cavewoman' if gender is relevant. Avoid generic male defaults.
Inclusive Alternatives
["prehistoric human","early human","Paleolithic person","Neanderthal"]
Empowerment Note
Women archaeologists and paleontologists have revealed women's vital role in tool innovation, hunting strategies, and social organization in prehistoric societies.