ottoman

1 of 2

noun

ot·​to·​man ˈä-tə-mən 

1

capitalized

a

: a member of a Turkish dynasty founded by Osman I that ruled the Ottoman Empire

b

: a citizen or functionary of the Ottoman Empire

2

[French ottomane, from feminine of ottoman, adjective]

a

: an upholstered often overstuffed seat or couch usually without a back

b

: an overstuffed footstool

3

: a heavy clothing fabric characterized by pronounced crosswise ribs

Ottoman

2 of 2

adjective

Ot·​to·​man ˈä-tə-mən 

: of or relating to the Ottoman Empire or its citizens

Examples of ottoman in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

This couch has space for storing items and also includes an ottoman. —Bestreviews, Mercury News, 22 Sep. 2025

The accent chair with ottoman has racked up more than 1,000 perfect ratings, including from shoppers who love it for lounging. —Sian Babish, PEOPLE, 18 Sep. 2025

Kaare Klint, the father of Danish modern design, originated this chair and a matching ottoman in 1933, adding buckled belts for extra support. —Elissa Suh, Architectural Digest, 17 Sep. 2025

Its modular design includes a left wedge, armless chair, right wedge, and ottoman, giving you the flexibility to create multiple layouts that suit your home. —Elizabeth Fogarty, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

French, adjective & noun, probably from Italian ottomano, from Arabic ʽothmānī, from ʽOthmān Osman I, founder of the Ottoman Empire

First Known Use

Noun

1605, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adjective

1546, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

ottoman

1 of 2 noun

ot·​to·​man ˈät-ə-mən 

plural ottomans

1

capitalized : a citizen or government official of the Ottoman Empire

2

: an upholstered footstool

Ottoman

2 of 2 adjective

Ot·​to·​man ˈät-ə-mən 

: of or relating to the Ottoman Empire, its rulers, or its citizens or government officials