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

Designed by an in-house architect, the only difference between Rosehill cottage and its Southern twin is that a second bedroom and bathroom were added to accommodate more guests. —Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 10 Oct. 2025

Michelle, Jessie, and Rickey were placed in cottage number nine. —Literary Hub, 10 Oct. 2025

The two met as kids, chasing each other around at their families’ cottages. —Joe Smith, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2025

Around the early 1970s, Cleveland moved to a cottage about a mile from the state park. —Kelli Arseneau, jsonline.com, 10 Oct. 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