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

• bach [New Zealand]
• cabin
• camp
• chalet
• lodge

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

Pink Shell Beach Resort and Marina Ft. Myers Beach, Florida The Pink Shell Beach Resort and Marina’s retro, muted pink exterior is a subtle nod to its humble beginnings as a small cottage in 1950. —Gina Kramer, USA TODAY, 10 Dec. 2024

But when an unwelcome stranger interrupts Ramona’s first night in the Malibu cottage, the entire scheme could go up in flames. —Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 8 Dec. 2024

The property consists of a lighthouse built in 1874, a five-room inn that serves dinner and breakfast to guests, and a three-bedroom cottage used as the living accommodations for the innkeepers. —Celia Fernandez, CNBC, 7 Dec. 2024

The hotel has more than 350 guestrooms and suites, cottage and cabin accommodations and various on-site resort amenities. —Michael Goldstein, Forbes, 30 Nov. 2024

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

Kids Definition

cottage

noun

cot·​tage ˈkät-ij 

1

: a small one-family house

2

: a small house for vacation use