# alcove

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈæl.kəʊv/ · frequency rank #45,777

## Definitions
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.

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

## Easily confused with
- **aloe** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/alcove-vs-aloe)
- **alone** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/alcove-vs-alone)
- **alive** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/alcove-vs-alive)
- **above** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/above-vs-alcove)

## Common misspellings (8)
`aclove`, `alccove`, `alcoev`, `alcovve`, `alcvoe`, `allcove`, `alocve`, `lacove`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/alcove