cove

1 of 3

noun (1)

ˈkōv 

1

: a recessed place : concavity: such as

a

: an architectural member with a concave cross section

b

: a trough for concealed lighting at the upper part of a wall

2

: a small sheltered inlet or bay

3

a

: a deep recess or small valley in the side of a mountain

b

: a level area sheltered by hills or mountains

cove

2 of 3

verb

coved; coving

transitive verb

: to make in a hollow concave form

cove

3 of 3

noun (2)

British, old-fashioned

: man, fellow

Synonyms

Noun (1)

• arm
• bay
• bight
• creek [chiefly British]
• embayment
• estuary
• firth
• fjord
• fiord
• gulf
• inlet
• loch [Scottish]

Examples of cove in a Sentence

Noun (1)

a secluded cove that smugglers once used

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The release also promises personal coves within walking distance from guests' condos and beach homes. —Chiara Kim, People.com, 29 Oct. 2024

What to try: Bodrum offers something to all travelers — budget-friendly rooms in the hilly cove of Gündoğan (Catamaran Hotel) to 5-star resorts with white-sand beaches (Mandarin Oriental). —Cuneyt Dil, Axios, 8 Sep. 2024

Two of the most anticipated are in hidden coves just south of the city. —Selina Denman, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 Nov. 2024

While its shore excursions often include private access to historic sites when they’re closed to the general public, as well as sailings into secluded coves and champagne and caviar beach picnics. —Lewis Nunn, Forbes, 24 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English, den, from Old English cofa; akin to Old High German chubisi hut

Noun (2)

Romani kova thing, person

First Known Use

Noun (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1756, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1567, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

cove

noun

ˈkōv

1

: a small sheltered inlet or bay

2

: a level area sheltered by hills or mountains