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

Top 5 Can’t Miss Book a lakefront stay at Wander the Resort, where sleek cottages and private beachfront access redefine rustic luxury. —Alexandra Emanuelli, Travel + Leisure, 7 Sep. 2025

Built in 1885 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the estate offers five guest rooms with en-suite bathrooms, plus a standalone three-bedroom cottage for larger groups. —Jill Robbins, Southern Living, 5 Sep. 2025

An archival news report on the property highlights how strange a sight that one of the most famous and beloved pop stars of the ’60s now spends his days in a modest cottage with various structural elements in mild disrepair. —Caleb Hammond, IndieWire, 4 Sep. 2025

Fuel up for a day of leaf-peeping with the inn’s cottage cakes, its spin on pancakes served with warm apricot preserves. —Sophie Friedman, AFAR Media, 4 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