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

• bach [New Zealand]
• cabin
• camp
• chalet
• lodge

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

My cottage, named Lower MerMansion, sits toward the end of the pier and looks out to the east and west. —Moira McCarthy, Boston Herald, 18 May 2025

In addition to the property's main mansion, there are several ballrooms, cottages, a tennis court and other amenities on site. —Melina Khan, USA Today, 16 May 2025

There are eight luxury suites and cottages, four of which are located in the ‘solar’ (the original country mansion). —Adam Morganstern, Forbes.com, 15 May 2025

With domed igloos, cozy cottages with fireplaces, and sunset cocktails, Cedar Lakes Estate in New York's Hudson Valley feels gloriously like an adult summer camp. —Alisha Prakash, Travel + Leisure, 11 May 2025

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