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

Marlene’s husband lived in a small cottage in Sylmar surrounded by olive trees, not far from our house. —Deborah Netburn, Los Angeles Times, 26 Sep. 2024

For visiting friends and family, there’s a two-bedroom, one-bath guest cottage. —Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 26 Sep. 2024

On one of these lakes, at the end of a sandy path and behind a dense wall of pine, copper beech, and oak trees, a certain Dr. Funk built his small thatched cottage. —Fiona Bornhöft, Architectural Digest, 23 Sep. 2024

Now, this popular holiday tradition is creeping into the Halloween season, with miniature haunted houses, witches’ cottages, and graveyards becoming highly sought-after decor. —Sophie Flaxman, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Sep. 2024

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

Kids Definition

cottage

noun

cot·​tage ˈkät-ij 

1

: a small one-family house

2

: a small house for vacation use