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

Officials aren’t sharing information about the specifics of the site where the remains were stolen, other than to add that the burial ground was likely a sheltered site, such as an alcove or cave. —Owen Clarke, Outside, 10 Dec. 2025

Approaching one pool, a family was cheek to cheek, gazing at a small octopus that had ventured out slightly from a sheltered rock alcove. —Ernie Cowan, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Nov. 2025

The main floor welcomes owners and guests with a formal entryway leading into an open-plan living and dining area, complete with a sitting alcove and bar. —Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 31 Oct. 2025

The space features fragrant evergreen boughs, which Rucci said are supposed to give the illusion of the Northwoods creeping into the alcove. —Angelika Ytuarte, jsonline.com, 23 Oct. 2025

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