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)

• bay
• estuary

Examples of cove in a Sentence

Noun (1)

a secluded cove that smugglers once used

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Trails trace shorelines, revealing beautiful and craggy coves and harbor seals sunbathing on rocks. —Brittany Anas, Forbes.com, 28 July 2025

Like most beaches on this list, the waters are crystal clear, but what makes this coastline especially unique is its natural cove, which creates sheltered, shallow pools for swimming and exploring. —Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 27 July 2025

The nature preserve at 100 Cove Spring Road is another option for an outdoor adventure, with three areas to explore: lower cove, upper cove and the wetlands. —Hannah Pinski, The Courier-Journal, 26 July 2025

Crowds fill bleachers overlooking a glassy cove of water, watching timber sports athletes from all over the world swing axes, wield crosscut saws, and sprint across floating logs. —Maayan Silver, NPR, 25 July 2025

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

Rhymes for cove

• clove
• drove
• rove
• shrove
• stove
• strove
• throve
• trove
• wove
• alcove
• mangrove

Kids Definition

cove

noun

ˈkōv

1

: a small sheltered inlet or bay

2

: a level area sheltered by hills or mountains