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

The grounds lean into a romantic, almost pastoral mood, with wildflower gardens, a freeform heated pool, and both a guest cottage and a finished pool house. —Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 27 Mar. 2026

The movie crystalizes when the four meet their class peers, the Tripathi family, at their summer cottage. —James Folta, Literary Hub, 25 Mar. 2026

Zoning details, the number of wheeled cottages allowed on a lot and other considerations will be reviewed during the meeting. —Ishani Desai, Sacbee.com, 25 Mar. 2026

Longtime Lake Norman developer Jake Palillo wants a 45-room hotel with a spa and 10 rental cottages in a fast-growing area east of Interstate 77 in Cornelius, town planning documents show. —Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 25 Mar. 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