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

In a converted 1909 Cow Hollow house near the marina and the Presidio, this home has a private entry and garden, and features a large picture window, a brick- ringed fireplace surrounded by built-ins, and a pass-through alcove kitchen with a Sub-Zero refrigerator. —The Week Us, TheWeek, 20 Apr. 2026

Intentionally, there is no permanent Tunnel Projects sign anywhere in the complex, though a small map on a signpost is set out inconspicuously at a side entrance, and a paper guide is taped to the wall next to the ground-floor elevator, which is hidden in an alcove. —Andres Viglucci, Miami Herald, 17 Apr. 2026

Up top, the heated rooftop pool is surrounded by shaded lounge chairs, cabanas, and expansive private alcoves designed for up to 12 guests. —Patricia Doherty, Travel + Leisure, 17 Apr. 2026

Decorative glass sometimes appears on an interior wall, say, in a wine room or bar alcove, strictly for the pleasure of the room’s occupants. —Allison Hatfield, Dallas Morning News, 6 Apr. 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
• clove
• 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