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

Instead, under the current plan, the Red Rest cottage would be memorialized with a plaque. — Ashley MacKin Solomon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Sep. 2026

Carry the literary atmosphere beyond the cottage with visits to the homes of some of the country’s most famous writers, including Edith Wharton’s The Mount and Herman Melville’s Arrowhead. — Madeline Weinfield, Vogue, 14 Sep. 2026

Today the 1830s Creole cottage has been brought back to life by former cofounder Nick Detrich and head bartender Chris Hannah, who takes daring swings of flavor paired with expert technique. — Kristin Braswell, Bon Appetit Magazine, 14 Sep. 2026

Practical Magic 2 reunites Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman as Sally and Gillian Owens, sister witches living in a charming seaside cottage in Massachusetts who are now helping rear a new generation into their coven. — Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Sep. 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