What does alcove mean?
Word: Alcove
Part of Speech: Noun
Meaning: Alcove means a small space in a room, made where part of the wall is set further back.
How do you spell alcove?
Syllables: al - cove
Tricky part: The k sound in the middle is spelt with a c. Students who expect a k put the wrong letter there.
Watch out for: alkove, alcov
Memory tip: An alcove is a cosy corner, and all three of those words use c for the k sound.
Alcove in a sentence
Example 1: Grandpa keeps his radio in the alcove beside his bed.
Example 2: A small alcove in the school library holds the atlases.
Example 3: We put a wooden bench in the alcove by the window.
Fun Fact
The word came into English through French and Spanish from an Arabic word for a vault, or curved roof. Sofa and algebra are two more English words with Arabic roots.
Practise the CREST Way
Spellacadabra
Choose the correct option to make a meaningful word:
alc_ve
a) e
b) a
c) o
d) u
Show answer
c) o. The stove in your kitchen has the same long vowel and the same spelling of it.
Spell Spies
Choose the incorrectly spelt word:
a) alphabet
b) allcove
c) almond
d) altitude
Show answer
b) allcove. Almond, alphabet and altitude all show that one l is enough at the start of this kind of word.
Word Puzzle
Match each word with its meaning:
1. alcove 2. attic 3. porch a. a covered entrance outside a front door b. a shallow hollow set into the wall of a room c. a room just under the roof of a house
a) 1-b, 2-a, 3-c
b) 1-a, 2-c, 3-b
c) 1-c, 2-b, 3-a
d) 1-b, 2-c, 3-a
Show answer
d) 1-b, 2-c, 3-a. The roof goes with the attic, the front door with the porch and the hollow in the wall with the page word.
Sound Check
In which word is 'c' pronounced differently?
a) ancient
b) actor
c) mascot
d) alcove
Show answer
a) ancient. Ancient gives its c a sh sound, while the other three have a hard k.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. Which of these would fit best in a small alcove?
a) a very large wardrobe
b) a full-size grand piano
c) a dining table for twelve
d) a narrow bookcase
Show answer
d) a narrow bookcase
2. Someone sitting in an alcove during a party is most likely to be where?
a) out on the front balcony
b) a little apart from the crowd
c) up on the stage with the band
d) in the middle of the dance floor
Show answer
b) a little apart from the crowd
