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

This short but steep trek takes you through a tunnel and ends at a viewpoint with expansive views of the cove. —Cu Fleshman, Travel + Leisure, 15 Mar. 2026

Nowadays six islands are open to day trippers and boaters, and even San Clemente, which is owned by the Navy, allows boats to anchor in its coves. —Betsy Andrews, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Mar. 2026

Drive the 11-mile loop around it and keep your eyes peeled; the cove is a prime wildlife-watching spot, routinely yielding sightings of white-tail deer, black bears, groundhogs, and raccoons. —Jennifer Stewart Kornegay, Southern Living, 10 Mar. 2026

Barton said the Conservancy already does brush clearing and removing, and is working with leaseholders to create defensible space around camps and coves. —Steve Scauzillo, Daily News, 9 Mar. 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