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 71-acre Napa County estate includes a tennis court, casita, two rentable two-bedroom cottages, and an infinity pool overlooking the 15.39-acre cabernet sauvignon vineyard. —The Week Staff, theweek, 12 Nov. 2024

Two structures are situated on the nearly 32-acre estate: a five-bedroom, nine-bathroom English country-style main house dating back to 1938 and a three-bedroom, two-bathroom guest cottage. —Katie Schultz, Architectural Digest, 4 Nov. 2024

In the wooded German state of Hessen, Philipp, a town clerk, lived with his wife, Dorothea, and their children in a quaint cottage. —Jennifer Wilson, The New Yorker, 4 Nov. 2024

The soothing aesthetic of a grandmother’s simple lifestyle in a cottage cooking pasta and enchanting her community is an energy people want in the cooler months. —Caitlin Palumbo, Forbes, 29 Oct. 2024

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