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 of cottage

• cabin

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

With a cozy cottage feel, the Allwood Claudia Tiny Home Kit fits in anywhere from the woods to the waterside, or even in your backyard (depending on your HOA). —Gabriela Izquierdo, Southern Living, 21 Nov. 2025

The family buried Kona and Willow together at their cottage overlooking a lake—one of their favorite places. —Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Nov. 2025

Beatrice has a residence in St James’s Palace, while Eugenie has a cottage in Kensington Palace. —Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 21 Nov. 2025

Harmony Home Farm Just over the state line in Little Compton, Rhode Island, this working farm rents a private bedroom in the farmhouse and a cozy but fully equipped cottage. —Anna Laird Barto, Travel + Leisure, 17 Nov. 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

Rhymes for cottage

• pottage
• wattage

Kids Definition

cottage

noun

cot·​tage ˈkät-ij 

1

: a small one-family house

2

: a small house for vacation use