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

Noun (1)

• arm
• bay
• bight
• creek [chiefly British]
• embayment
• estuary
• firth
• fjord
• fiord
• gulf
• inlet
• loch [Scottish]

Examples of cove in a Sentence

Noun (1)

a secluded cove that smugglers once used

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Sardinia is ringed with coves lapped by translucent turquoise water, soft white sand beaches and some of the warmest swimming conditions in the region, as balmy as 80 degrees in summer. —Ann Abel, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024

Villa Avellana Who Stays There: Tech entrepreneurs, bank CEOs, music producers, and entertainers The Property: A modern, teak-and-glass villa on a secluded cove with red land crabs, white egrets, and turtle nests. —Denny Lee, Travel + Leisure, 2 Nov. 2024

In the coves, attendees can watch performances and have food and merchandise delivered in minutes. —Chiara Kim, People.com, 29 Oct. 2024

Nature lovers can explore numerous trails or relax in secluded coves. —Erin Gifford, Southern Living, 26 Oct. 2024

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

1756, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1567, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

cove

noun

ˈkōv

1

: a small sheltered inlet or bay

2

: a level area sheltered by hills or mountains