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

Another option is The Ahwahnee Hotel, a 100-year-old National Historic Landmark lodge containing 97 hotel rooms and 24 guest cottages, within easy reach of many of Yosemite’s top sights. —Taryn White, Travel + Leisure, 15 Nov. 2025

The city has released a variety of home designs, including cottage-style homes, single-family houses and duplexes, with the goal to bring options that might match existing neighborhoods. —Taylor O'Connor, Kansas City Star, 15 Nov. 2025

The suite of build kits for full-sized homes and accessory-dwelling units take design cues from Stewart’s Bedford, New York, farmhouse; her Lily Pond coastal cottage in East Hampton; her Perry Street NYC residence; and her Skylands summer retreat in Maine. —India Roby, Architectural Digest, 13 Nov. 2025

Shortly after settling in, Snyder got her cottage license, started her bread business Hearth & Harvest and joined the local farmers market. —Jordan Greene, PEOPLE, 12 Nov. 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