alcove

noun

al·​cove ˈal-ˌkōv 

1

a

: a small recessed section of a room : nook

b

: an arched opening (as in a wall) : niche

2

: summerhouse sense 2

alcoved

ˈal-ˌkōvd 

adjective

Synonyms of alcove

• pavilion

Examples of alcove in a Sentence

a small alcove in one corner of the backyard garden

an ancient vase in an alcove and a sculpture of Achilles on a stand in the museum's Greek Hall

Recent Examples on the Web

The sleeping alcove offers more privacy than the typical studio due to floor-to-ceiling built-ins. —Matthew Sedacca, Curbed, 8 June 2026

The main 64 x 80-in (163 x 203-cm) super-queen bed is located up in the alcove, which is all but encased in glass thanks to its two large side windows and the skylight above. —New Atlas, 4 June 2026

Follow the lanterns towards the sandy alcove in the middle of the island to find Middle Eastern restaurant Cargo, where chunky lamb chops and freshly baked pita bread are prepped in a shipping container kitchen. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 June 2026

Surveillance video showed the rabbi being shoved into the alcove of building and choked. —Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

French alcôve, from Spanish alcoba, from Arabic al-qubba the arch

First Known Use

1655, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for alcove

• mangrove
• cove
• drove
• rove
• shrove
• stove
• strove
• throve
• trove
• wove

Kids Definition

alcove

noun

al·​cove ˈal-ˌkōv 

1

: a small section of a room set back from the rest of it

2

: an arched opening (as in a wall) : niche