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.

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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

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Etymology

Origin of alcove

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

Example Sentences

“Deputies were positioned less than ten feet away in the narrow alcove outside the restroom and issued verbal commands.”

From Los Angeles Times

An alcove devoted to gay rights displays an early version of the rainbow flag, campaign and protest buttons, and a ceiling fragment from the Stonewall Inn, where a 1969 uprising launched the gay liberation movement.

From The Wall Street Journal

The 72-year-old pop icon is hanging out on a September afternoon in a leafy alcove at the clubby musician’s spot that’s been her go-to in Los Angeles since the early 1980s.

From Los Angeles Times

They also added an outdoor dining area, a birdbath and an alcove with a bench, all situated in the shade of fragrant natives.

From Los Angeles Times

Today, she works out of a wall-to-wall pink velvet alcove covered in floral pink wallpaper and dog hair.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• compartment
• cubicle