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

• belvedere
• casino
• gazebo
• kiosk
• pavilion
• summerhouse

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

Meanwhile, nestled behind heavy curtains in an alcove, the hotel’s Q’s Bar feels more like a speakeasy, complete with moody lighting. —Robin Allison Davis, Travel + Leisure, 24 Sep. 2024

On the second floor of the show, Grief/Spring (2024), a 12-by-9-inch still life of daffodils in a vase, is the sole work in a gallery alcove, allowing for an intimate viewing moment. —Stephanie Sporn, Vogue, 16 Sep. 2024

Tucked in a grassy alcove with a brown slat fence as a backdrop, Schiller is easier to miss than notice. —Neal Rubin, Detroit Free Press, 15 Sep. 2024

In one set of buildings, several works of craft are displayed in the alcoves that were once used as sleeping quarters. —Maximilíano Durón, ARTnews.com, 6 Sep. 2024

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

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