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

Mainstay Boucle Mushroom Upholstered Storage Ottoman Add more storage and some serious style to any room with this mushroom storage ottoman. —Shea Simmons, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 Dec. 2024

Modular Sectional Sofa The spacious sectional includes a left wedge, armless chair, right wedge, ottoman, and three small accent pillows. —Megan Schaltegger, People.com, 26 Nov. 2024

The same fabric was used on the accent chairs and round ball pillows, while Binary Embroidery fabric by Schumacher was selected for the ottoman. —Kelly Dawson, Architectural Digest, 4 Oct. 2024

The stylish egg chair has supportive cushions to recline in and a padded ottoman to put your feet up on. —Claire Rutter, Rolling Stone, 9 Dec. 2024

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