alcove

American  

[al-kohv] / ˈæl koʊv /

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 British  

/ 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

---

Etymology

Origin of alcove

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

Example Sentences

His hand snaked out a second later, and he pulled me behind the biggest statue and into a small hidden alcove.

From Literature

They hid under alcoves, in tiny rooms under the stairs, inside closets— anywhere two small kids could fit and not be noticed.

From Literature

As I reach the stooped archway into the pub, I notice a small door tucked into an alcove.

From Literature

Aunt Kitty and I tucked into an alcove behind an enormous statue of Lady Justice while Detective Webster hid himself behind a flag.

From Literature

Cubicles and alcoves don’t eliminate teamwork, but simply give employees a dedicated space to concentrate, recharge and hold quiet conversations without disrupting others.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• compartment
• cubicle