coffee-table

1 of 2

adjective

cof·​fee-ta·​ble ˈkȯ-fē-ˌtā-bəl 

ˈkä-

: of, relating to, or being an article (such as a book or magazine) intended for display (as on a coffee table)

coffee table

2 of 2

noun

: a low table customarily placed in front of a sofa

called also cocktail table

Examples of coffee-table in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

But those elements may be better suited to consumption via the bulky coffee-table book Netflix will undoubtedly release for its awards push, as opposed to the fisheye presentation afforded by DP Dan Laustsen’s large-format cameras. —Peter Debruge, Variety, 30 Aug. 2025

Nineteen years later, Death & Co. has four bars in the U.S. and has published three coffee-table books. —Maya Kachroo-Levine, Travel + Leisure, 12 Aug. 2025

Noun

The new hardcover coffee table book features 304 pages of iconic fashion photography, ranging from elaborate studio setups and lush location shoots to more intimate moments between only Demarchelier and his subjects. —Tim Chan, Footwear News, 21 Sep. 2025

Large windows and an open layout make the living area feel spacious, with room for a couch, coffee table, and more. —Toni Sutton, PEOPLE, 21 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1962, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1877, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

coffee table

noun

: a low table usually placed in front of a sofa