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

During the board’s deliberations, member Michael Provence raised the question of whether the house should get additional consideration since the number of Colonial Revival-style cottages is declining. —Ashley MacKin Solomon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Jan. 2026

The cottages, too, would be rented on a month-to-month basis, like the other units. —Molly Morrow, Chicago Tribune, 23 Jan. 2026

For families Aforementioned family suites are available, and villas and cottages have plenty of space. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Jan. 2026

The Belgian linen upholstery, which comes in five colors including a rich moss and apricot, sits somewhere between English cottage elegance and coastal glam. —Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 22 Jan. 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