cubbyhole

noun

cub·​by·​hole ˈkə-bē-ˌhōl 

: a small snug place (as for hiding or storage)

also : a cramped space

Examples of cubbyhole in a Sentence

The car has lots of cubbyholes for small items.

He keeps the key in a cubbyhole in his desk.

He worked in a cubbyhole under the stairs.

Recent Examples on the Web

The captain instead had to remain up on the topside in the cubbyhole of his pilot house. —Eric Duvall, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Sep. 2025

There’s also a theater room with low-level, dimmable lighting; beanbags; and a cubbyhole with a cushioned area. —Jen Malia, Curbed, 20 Aug. 2025

The narrow, shaded Via Santa Maria della Pietà is Neapolitan-esque in its air of ancient mystery, with big arched doorways to houses and glimpses into tiny barber shops and a cubbyhole tattoo parlor. —Rebecca Ann Hughes, Forbes.com, 18 June 2025

At the top of the Guggenheim’s ramp, the upper level is dedicated to a sprawling installation of open cubic shelves that look like highly refined cubbyholes. —Vinson Cunningham, New Yorker, 30 May 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1824, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for cubbyhole

• amphibole
• asystole
• buttonhole
• casserole
• centriole
• decontrol
• glycerol
• metropole
• monopole
• multipole
• omeprazole
• oriole

Kids Definition

cubbyhole

noun

cub·​by·​hole ˈkəb-ē-ˌhōl 

: a snug place (as for storing things)