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

Deilus has found that many of her customers like to style vintage books on shelves or coffee tables and will keep her eyes peeled for interesting titles while thrifting. —Sarah Lyon, Southern Living, 27 Sep. 2025

The matching coffee table has plenty of space to place a book and a couple cups of homemade hot chocolate or apple cider. —Brandi Fuller, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 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