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

After Willa’s bedroom was built onto the small house, the cottage was dressed to show the accumulation of the years the father and daughter had lived there. —Pat Saperstein, Variety, 27 Sep. 2025

The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills alum personally designed the compound’s interiors, which includes a 19th-century stone farmhouse, three guest cottages, and a barn dating back to 1776. —Katie Schultz, Architectural Digest, 26 Sep. 2025

While the tower still exists and houses seniors, the cottages were demolished to make way for a mixed-income development. —Charlotte Observer, 25 Sep. 2025

Perched on a private peninsula just six miles from Enniskillen, the sprawling country estate comes with a historic seven-bedroom house, plus five charming cottages. —Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 25 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