ottoman

1 of 2

noun

ot·​to·​man ˈä-tə-mən 

1

Ottoman

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 velvet khaki barrel chair has an ottoman with a lift-top for extra storage that tucks neatly underneath when not in use. —Jacqueline Tempera, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Dec. 2025

This innovative design marries the comfort of an ottoman with the stability of a traditional table thanks to a stylish wooden accoutrement on top of it. —Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 30 Nov. 2025

Save on seating options like wingback chairs and boucle sofas, or opt for an ottoman that serves as an extra seat, a footrest, and even a convenient side table. —Sian Babish, PEOPLE, 30 Nov. 2025

With a bouclé texture and crisp white color, this pouf ottoman is just the right pairing for your seating needs. —Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 27 Nov. 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