Word
alcove
Phoneticsal·cove, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈæɫˌkoʊv/
UK/ˈælkəʊv/
Countable noun
Definition
n. a small space in a room that goes back into the wall, often used as a quiet corner for reading, sitting, or storing things.
n. a small recessed section of a room or wall, forming a partly enclosed space often used for seating, storage, or display.
Examples
“She reads quietly in the small alcove by the window.”
“They turned the dining-room alcove into a cozy study corner with a desk and shelves.”
“The library's deepest alcove, lined with oak panels and dim lamps, offered readers a quiet retreat from the main hall's bustle.”
Examples
simple
“She reads quietly in the small alcove by the window.”
contextual
“They turned the dining-room alcove into a cozy study corner with a desk and shelves.”
complex
“The library's deepest alcove, lined with oak panels and dim lamps, offered readers a quiet retreat from the main hall's bustle.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “alcove” in context.
Verb
01. alcove houses
“The alcove houses our bookshelves and a comfortable chair.”
noun + verb
02. alcove overlooks
“The alcove overlooks the garden and gets morning sun.”
noun + verb
03. convert alcove
“They converted the alcove into a tiny home office.”
verb + noun
04. create alcove
“The architect created an alcove for a desk and shelves.”
verb + noun
05. furnish alcove
“She furnished the alcove with cushions and a lamp.”
verb + noun
Adjective
06. cozy alcove
“She curled up with a book in the cozy alcove by the window.”
adj + noun
07. dark alcove
“The cat was sleeping in a dark alcove under the stairs.”
adj + noun
08. hidden alcove
“They discovered a hidden alcove behind the old bookshelf.”
adj + noun
09. quiet alcove
“He found a quiet alcove in the library to study for his exam.”
adj + noun
Noun
10. alcove in wall
“The statue stood in a shallow alcove in the wall.”
noun + prep + noun
11. cozy window alcove with seat
“The flat has a cozy window alcove with a seat for reading.”
12. curl up in alcove
“On rainy days, she loves to curl up in the alcove with tea.”
Etymology
From French alcôve, from Spanish alcoba or Portuguese alcova, from Arabic القُبَّة (al-qubba, “vault, chamber with vaulted roof”). Doublet of qubba.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Related words
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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