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

• belvedere
• casino
• gazebo
• kiosk
• pavilion
• summerhouse

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

Tiger Adventure Vehicles Tiger vehicles tend to split the difference between basic alcove truck campers and larger all-out expedition vehicles, combining the approachable convenience of the former with the robust, all-conditions comfort of the latter. —New Atlas, 2 Nov. 2024

Listen to this article A zombie ant, a pair of bats and a gorilla lurked around the shadiest alcoves of a Cook County forest preserve on Saturday, scouring the earth for decomposing life forms. —Peter Breen, Chicago Tribune, 30 Oct. 2024

In one of Burkle's recent projects, a windowpane repeat oozes warmth without upstaging the curved oven alcove or verdant cabinets and trim. —Kelsey Mulvey, Southern Living, 26 Oct. 2024

According to the excavation team, the rooms measure approximately 32 by 16 feet and feature Roman-style walls and white marble altars with alcoves that likely held sacred stones. —Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 28 Oct. 2024

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

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