coffee-table

1 of 2

adjective

cof·​fee-ta·​ble ˈkȯ-fē-ˌtā-bəl 

ˈkä-

: of, relating to, or being an article (such as a book or magazine) intended for display (as on a coffee table)

coffee table

2 of 2

noun

: a low table customarily placed in front of a sofa

called also cocktail table

Examples of coffee-table in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Told in first-person narrative with archival photos, the 225-page coffee-table book covers the family’s many setbacks and triumphs dating back to the early 1890s, when Jessop’s great-grandparents arrived in San Diego via steamship, rail and horsedrawn buggy. —David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Mar. 2025

Recently, the brand has expanded into the world of coffee-table books, with titles including Sylvia Kristel: From Emmanuelle to Chabrol, by Jeremy Richey. —airmail.news, 1 Mar. 2025

Noun

The seating and ottoman come with cushions for extra comfort and the coffee table has a smooth glass surface to conveniently place food, drinks, reading material, and more. —Isabel Garcia, People.com, 25 Mar. 2025

The set includes a coffee table, two chairs, and a loveseat—all of which are padded with comfy water-resistant cushions. —Megan Schaltegger, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1962, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1877, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

coffee table

noun

: a low table usually placed in front of a sofa