cottage

noun

cot·​tage ˈkä-tij How to pronounce cottage (audio)
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 adjective

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 Photo : Frank Urso/Dynamic Media Solutions The greenhouses, stables, and guest cottages are situated far from the main residence. Emma Reynolds, Robb Report, 20 Mar. 2024 The establishment of the University of Colorado at Denver campus in the early 1970s and its subsequent growth displaced 350 families and reduced the predominantly Hispanic neighborhood to just 13 cottages and a grocery store. Brandi Kellam, ProPublica, 14 Mar. 2024 It is tucked among other grand cottages and mansions and consists of four buildings including Bill's Grill restaurant. Detroit Free Press, 13 Mar. 2024 The core narrative revolves around a group of guests at a country cottage telling ghost stories, each of which is helmed by a different director. Katie Rife, EW.com, 12 Mar. 2024 Then, about 10 miles south, stroll around the town of Mendocino, home to 19th-century Victorian homes and cottages and enough cute shops to fill an afternoon. Chelsee Lowe, Travel + Leisure, 25 Feb. 2024 At Tradewinds Beach Resort, quaint one-bedroom cottages are swathed in colorful hues and covered in tangles of bright bougainvillea. Angela Caraway-Carlton, Miami Herald, 22 Feb. 2024 Accommodations range from private rooms with expansive patios overlooking the Santa Margarita Mountains to two-bedroom cottages with additional features like full kitchens and outdoor patios with fireplaces. Julia Eskins, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Feb. 2024 Their biggest disagreement in recent memory was over the color of their new shower curtain – Compton wanted one that was hot pink and printed with diamonds, while Davis wanted a shower curtain with a cozy cottage vibe. Katie Langford, The Denver Post, 1 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'cottage.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of cottage was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near cottage

Cite this Entry

“Cottage.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cottage. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

cottage

noun
cot·​tage ˈkät-ij How to pronounce cottage (audio)
1
: a small one-family house
2
: a small house for vacation use

More from Merriam-Webster on cottage

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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