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

In the mid-1990s, Kennedy rented a modest Sagaponack cottage known as Sea Song, sharing it with his cousin Anthony Radziwill and Radziwill’s wife, journalist and Real Housewives of New York City alum Carole Radziwill. —Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 20 Mar. 2026

The cottages are made from carbon-absorbing cross-laminated timber panels, and feature floor-to-ceiling windows with views of Lake Saimaa and Linnansaari National Park. —The Editors, Outside, 18 Mar. 2026

Her cottage in the South of France could be yours. —Matt Ortile, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 Mar. 2026

The shoreline paradise experience begins once guests step inside its cottages and coastal captain homes. —Morgan Rizzo, Travel + Leisure, 16 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