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

Six others look out over the forest, and the lone cottage sits out front by the main entrance. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 May 2026

Hiking Pefki Gorge is a must; this cottage is already on its trail. —Katie Silcox, Vogue, 28 May 2026

This columnar evergreen is incredibly versatile, equally at home in formal settings and as an accent in cottage gardens. —Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 27 May 2026

How to get to the beach Gaspee Point is home to a private cottage colony with a gatehouse, which can be daunting for visitors. —Antonia Noori Farzan, The Providence Journal, 27 May 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