cottage

noun

cot·​tage ˈkä-tij 

1

: the dwelling of a farm laborer or small farmer

2

: a usually small frame one-family house

3

: a small detached dwelling unit at an institution

4

: a usually small house for vacation use

cottagey

ˈkä-ti-jē 

adjective

Synonyms

• bach [New Zealand]
• cabin
• camp
• chalet
• lodge

Examples of cottage in a Sentence

We rented a cottage for the weekend.

She owns a cottage at the beach.

Recent Examples on the Web

The couple, who were homeless, were living in the cottage without permission, state police said. —Mike Stunson, Kansas City Star, 13 Feb. 2025

The barefoot-luxury cottages with spacious porches and comfy beds. —Devorah Lev-Tov, Travel + Leisure, 8 Feb. 2025

The additional rooms made sense, given the ample inventory of larger suites, villas and cottages scattered throughout the resort, said former General Manager Harold Rapoza, who now is Area Vice President for Hilton. —Lori Weisberg, The Mercury News, 7 Feb. 2025

The Bleecker Street store, for example, is a town house that resembles a cottage. —Lisa Lockwood, WWD, 7 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English cotage "holding of a free peasant, the peasant's dwelling on such a holding," borrowed from Anglo-French, "tenure of a free peasant owing rent to a lord, rent paid for such a holding," probably from Middle English cot or cote "dwelling of a rural laborer, hut" + Anglo-French -age -age — more at cot entry 1, cote entry 1

Note: Regarding the status of such a holding, see note at cottar.

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing cottage

• Cape Cod cottage
• cottage cheese
• cottage curtains
• cottage hospital
• cottage industry
• cottage pie
• cottage pudding
• cottage tulip
• tied cottage

Kids Definition

cottage

noun

cot·​tage ˈkät-ij 

1

: a small one-family house

2

: a small house for vacation use