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

At Cala Cavone—a jut of rock fringed with crashing waves—self-service loungers, espresso, and snacks are stored in an alcove in the cliff. —Kristina Kasparian, Travel + Leisure, 15 Mar. 2026

The arched alcove in the bedroom and botanical wallpaper in the bathroom are delightful touches. —Payton Turkeltaub, Vogue, 12 Mar. 2026

Once inflated into shape, the unit takes on a classic truck camper form, with a relatively low alcove over the driver's cab and a body that starts wide up top and cuts inward down lower to fit inside the truck bed. —New Atlas, 11 Mar. 2026

Entering this top floor unit, the great room is to the left, with lofty nine-foot ceilings, custom bookshelves, and a rather striking alcove. —Matthew Sedacca, Curbed, 9 Mar. 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