alcove

[ al-kohv ]

noun

1. a recess or small room adjacent to or opening out of a room:

   a dining alcove.

2. a recess in a room for a bed, bookcases, or the like.
3. any recessed space, as a bower in a garden.

alcove

/ ˈælkəʊv /

noun

1. a recess or niche in the wall of a room, as for a bed, books, etc
2. any recessed usually vaulted area, as in a garden wall
3. any covered or secluded spot, such as a summerhouse

Word History and Origins

Origin of alcove¹

1670–80; < French alcôve < Spanish alcoba < Arabic al-qubbah the dome

Word History and Origins

Origin of alcove¹

C17: from French alcôve, from Spanish alcoba, from Arabic al-qubbah the vault, arch

Example Sentences

Portraits of the Rolling Stones and other easily recognizable stars populate the small, alcove-like room straight ahead.

From The Daily Beast

Gwynne walked about the large old-fashioned room with its bow-window, and alcove for the bed.

From Project Gutenberg

In a special alcove was a large number of priceless Fourteenth and Sixteenth Century editions.

From Project Gutenberg

In the shadow of an alcove seat Maxwell stood with a small black envelope in his hand.

From Project Gutenberg

Cheap, but pretty, curtains hung before the windows and about the alcove where the bed was.

From Project Gutenberg

They stepped aside into an alcove set with card-tables, and Susannah gazed away from her companion and down the crowded ballroom.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• compartment
• cubicle