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

Boomhower said the city shouldn’t be limiting development on sites that don’t have contributing resources just because some historic cottages might be nearby. —David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Nov. 2025

The rooms tout a contemporary Southwestern aesthetic, clad in terra-cotta orange with wood floors, while the 1,500-square-foot cottages feature two bedrooms, living rooms, and full kitchens and dining areas. —Matt Kirouac, AFAR Media, 7 Nov. 2025

This charming cottage corner scene is the '90s version of today's cottagecore trend mixed with traditional cabincore. —Maria Sabella, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Nov. 2025

Cozy cottages can sleep up to eight guests, while estate homes have space for up to 16. —Beth Luberecki, USA Today, 4 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