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 of cottage

• 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

The bill would exempt snack foods and corn masa flour made by, or supplied to, certain types of businesses including cottage food operations. —Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado january 12, Sacbee.com, 12 Jan. 2026

Book one of the balcony suites that have hosted Katharine Hepburn, Henry Ford, and Thomas Edison, or let waves lull you to sleep inside one of the larger beach cottages. —Kelsey Ogletree, Midwest Living, 11 Jan. 2026

In 2024, the city approved the Olathe Commons — a housing development that features 60 cottage-style single family homes and 27, two-story townhomes, according to Johnson County Post reporting. —Taylor O'Connor, Kansas City Star, 10 Jan. 2026

Spread out over five buildings, the property features 22 luxurious rooms, suites, and cottages. —Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 10 Jan. 2026

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