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 of cove

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

Cottages sit at varying elevations, the beach requires a real descent from the hilltop, and the island's best features, remote coves, clifftop pools, and the Sugarloaf summit, all involve uneven ground and serious elevation changes. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Feb. 2026

But south of the tunnel, Highway 1 still parallels a stretch of towering cliffs overlooking a sheltered cove. —Los Angeles Times, 25 Feb. 2026

The other involved moving the cove lighting in the primary bedroom ceiling. —Richard A. Marini, San Antonio Express-News, 23 Feb. 2026

This might look like picture lights, recessed coves, or lamps outfitted with shades. —Patricia Shannon, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Feb. 2026

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

1817, 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