# alcove

/ˈæɫˌkoʊv/ (US) · /ˈælkəʊv/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/alcove
Updated: 2026-10-18

## Definition

a small space in a room that goes back into the wall, often used as a quiet corner for reading, sitting, or storing things.

For teachers: 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.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.