ottoman

1 of 2

noun

ot·​to·​man ˈä-tə-mən 

1

capitalized

a

: a member of a Turkish dynasty founded by Osman I that ruled the Ottoman Empire

b

: a citizen or functionary of the Ottoman Empire

2

[French ottomane, from feminine of ottoman, adjective]

a

: an upholstered often overstuffed seat or couch usually without a back

b

: an overstuffed footstool

3

: a heavy clothing fabric characterized by pronounced crosswise ribs

Ottoman

2 of 2

adjective

Ot·​to·​man ˈä-tə-mən 

: of or relating to the Ottoman Empire or its citizens

Examples of ottoman in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Upholstered Ottoman This upholstered ottoman from Kelly Clarkson Home has hidden storage that is ideal for holding throw pillows and blankets, home decor, or books. —Megan Schaltegger, People.com, 2 Dec. 2024

The Nickey Kehoe ottoman is covered in a Pierre Frey bouclé. —Paola Singer, Architectural Digest, 9 Oct. 2024

It's ruffled, skirted trim is repeated on a pink ottoman and a pair of upholstered stools in the lounge area. —Catherine Hong, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Sep. 2024

Crescendo Round Pouf Ottoman This smaller ottoman still provides a nice accent to the room and works as extra seating or a footrest without taking up quite as much space. —Megan Schaltegger, People.com, 25 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

French, adjective & noun, probably from Italian ottomano, from Arabic ʽothmānī, from ʽOthmān Osman I, founder of the Ottoman Empire

First Known Use

Noun

1605, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adjective

1546, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

ottoman

1 of 2 noun

ot·​to·​man ˈät-ə-mən 

plural ottomans

1

capitalized : a citizen or government official of the Ottoman Empire

2

: an upholstered footstool

Ottoman

2 of 2 adjective

Ot·​to·​man ˈät-ə-mən 

: of or relating to the Ottoman Empire, its rulers, or its citizens or government officials