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

Plans include 84 cottage homes, built for those 55 and older at a price point of $420,000; 260 Meadows homes at a price point of $480,000; and 129 Estate homes at a price point of $570,000, the Post-Tribune previously reported. —Anna Ortiz, Chicago Tribune, 11 Apr. 2026

From the Eastern Plains to the Western Slope, the trust economy is alive and well among small-town farmers and cottage bakers looking to share the fruits of their labor through self-serve farm stands. —Tiney Ricciardi, Denver Post, 10 Apr. 2026

Eat & Drink Rise & Shine Sullivan points to student-run Stirling’s Coffee House, a cute java joint in a sunny yellow cottage on campus, as one of the best coffeehouses around. —Jennifer Stewart Kornegay, Southern Living, 9 Apr. 2026

The property also features a handful of colorful beachfront cottages available for short-term guests and long-term, seasonal stays. —Carley Rojas Avila, Travel + Leisure, 9 Apr. 2026

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