nook

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noun \ ˈnu̇k \

Definition of nook

1 chiefly Scotland :a right-angled corner

2 a :an interior angle formed by two meeting walls

b :a secluded or sheltered place or part

searched every nook and cranny

c :a small often recessed section of a larger room

a breakfast nook

See nook defined for English-language learners

See nook defined for kids

Examples of nook in a Sentence

an old house full of nooks and crannies
a cozy nook perfect for reading
We found a shady nook under an old oak tree.

Recent Examples of nook from the Web

Hanging love seats in shades of marigold and blue enliven outdoor nooks, geometric planters offer a pop of greenery, and weathered steel or concrete fire pits keep you toasty long after the sun goes down.

— marielle wakim, Los Angeles Magazine, "Best of LA: 92 of Our Favorite Things to Eat, Do, and Buy Right Now," 14 July 2017
The cottage has been turned into a little children's museum, with old-time costumes, interactive educational games, old-fashioned toys on exhibit, a craft table and a reading nook.

— susan dunne, courant.com, "Fairfield Day Trip: Restored Historic Homes And Nearby Beaches," 13 July 2017
In addition to buzzworthy grub from Mile End and Van Leeuwen, among others, the grounds were filled with light-up art installations, cozy shade nooks, and hammocks — prime for chilling while watching the sun set on the Manhattan skyline.

— sean williams, The Cut, "Scenes From Full Moon Festival: Mesh Tops, Kimonos, and a Giant Disco Ball," 10 July 2017
Ever elusive, octopuses are a common sight in the nooks and crannies of the forest.

— ben raines | braines@al.com, AL.com, "The creatures of the Underwater Forest, as seen in the documentary," 5 July 2017
Journalists see themselves — and the Left flatteringly sees them — as warriors for truth, exposing light in every dark nook and cranny of the Trump administration.

— ben shapiro, National Review, "No One Emerges from Trump’s Feud with the Media Looking Good," 5 July 2017
There, fix a cocktail at the wet bar, relax on a private balcony or scratch some poetry out in the office and a window walled viewing nook.

— brian kelly, AL.com, "Villa Norte along the banks of Bayou St. John," 28 June 2017
A damp microfiber cloth should be enough to take care of most of the dirt on your phone—fortunately, a lot of handsets are now waterproof, making your job easier—but some cotton buds can dig out dirt from nooks and crannies.

— david nield, Popular Mechanics, "How to Make an Old, Slow Phone Feel Like New Again," 22 June 2017
Housed in the former Grape Smuggler Bar is Crackheads, a breakfast nook that will serve an all-day build-your-own cereal bowl bar, breakfast sandwiches and a Pop-Tart station.

— carolina gusman, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Garden party, tastings top San Diego summer entertaining," 21 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'nook.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of nook

Middle English noke, nok

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

See Words from the same year

nook Synonyms

Synonyms

alcove, niche, recess

Related Words

corner, cranny, cubbyhole; cubicle; dent, embrasure, indent, indentation, indenture; ambry, housing, shrine

Other Architecture Terms

buttress, casita, cornice, fanlight, garret, lintel, parapet, pilaster, plinth

NOOK Defined for English Language Learners

nook

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noun

Definition of nook for English Language Learners

: a small space or corner that is inside something
: a part of a room (such as a corner) that is used for a specific purpose
: a quiet place that is sheltered by a tree, rock, etc.

NOOK Defined for Kids

nook

play

noun \ ˈnu̇k \

Definition of nook for Students

1 :an inner corner

a chimney nook

2 :a sheltered or hidden place

Or she could crawl through the hedge and emerge in some sheltered garden nook where neither Mrs. Tifton nor anyone else would be likely to see her.
—Jeanne Birdsall, The Penderwicks