A coveA small, sheltered bay or a small cave-like hollow. is a small, shelteredProtected from wind, waves, or other harsh conditions. inletA narrow body of water extending into the land from a larger one. along a coastline. It can also mean a small cave or hollow in a cliff or mountainside.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-24. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Pronunciation
AI-generated pronunciation audio (OpenAI).
Accent: General American English
IPA: /koʊv/
Easy pronunciation: KOHV (approximate spelling).
Stress: One syllable; stress is on the only syllable.
Use this pronunciation for the noun meaning a small inlet or sheltered bay.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-24. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Cove Meaning
a small, sheltered bay or inlet in the coast
Part of speech: noun
Definition: a small inlet
Example: We anchored the boat in a quiet cove for the night.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-24. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Other Meanings of Cove
Meaning 2
a small cave or hollow in rock
Part of speech: noun
Definition: small or narrow cave in the side of a cliff or mountain
Example: The hikers found a cove in the cliff large enough to sit in.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-24. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Cove Synonyms
Similar Meaning
- inlet
- bay
a small or narrow cave in the side of a cliff or mountain
- cave
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: uncertain — manual review needed. Checked: 2026-10-24. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Common Mistakes
- Don’t confuse cove with cave. A cove is usually a coastal inlet, while a cave is a hollow in rock or underground.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-24. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does cove mean in geography?
In geography, cove usually means a small, sheltered inlet along the coast.
Can cove mean a cave?
Yes. In some usage, cove can also mean a small cave or hollow in a cliff or mountain.
What are common synonyms for cove?
For the coastal meaning, common close synonyms are inlet and bay. For the cave meaning, cave is the closest match.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-24. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.