alcove

Meaning

1. A small recessed area set off from a larger room.
2. A shady retreat.
3. The geographical and geological term for a steep-sided hollow in the side of an exposed rock face or cliff of a homogeneous rock type, that was water eroded.

Synonyms

recess

bay

niche

arbor

bedroom

booth

cavity

chamber

concavity

cubicle

dais

dormer

enclosure

lane

nook

padding

passage

pergola

pock

recession

room

scarf

🧣

sickbed

small room

concaveness

sleeping room

alley

recessed room

alleyway

bed

🛏️

bedchamber

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈæl.kəʊv/

Etymology

From French alcôve, from Spanish alcoba or Portuguese alcova, from Arabic القُبَّة (al-qubba, “vault, chamber with vaulted roof”). Doublet of qubba.