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

• 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

With a cozy cottage feel, the Allwood Claudia Tiny Home Kit fits in anywhere from the woods, to the waterside, or even in your backyard (depending on your HOA). —Gabriela Izquierdo, Southern Living, 12 Sep. 2025

In this horror-thriller, married musicians Dev Patel and Rosy McEwen move to an isolated Welsh cottage to record sounds for their new album — and find something sinister instead. —Chris Foran, jsonline.com, 11 Sep. 2025

Related Stories The SDIFF’s Foreign Film track recognizes the best in international film, and this year, the fest has partnered with the House of Pacific Relations, a landmark of cottages housing celebrating 35 cultures in San Diego’s Balboa Park that is celebrating its 90th birthday this year. —Carole Horst, Variety, 11 Sep. 2025

With interiors recalling a casual beach cottage, the house the Sculleys just sold has expansive windows that afford views of the sea across North Ocean Boulevard. —Darrell Hofheinz, USA Today, 9 Sep. 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