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

Listed for $24 million, the 7.5-acre waterfront estate in Oysters Harbor includes a main residence, a boat dock, guest cottages, and private gardens. —Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 25 June 2025

Warmer toned shingles, such as weathered wood or brown, complement homes with natural wood elements and traditional architectural styles like Tudor or English cottages. —Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 25 June 2025

As a child, McTigue lived for a time in the nearby Coast Guard cottages, his son said. —Steve Bousquet, Sun Sentinel, 21 June 2025

This year-round retreat offers 13 distinct cabins and cottages featuring handcrafted Adirondack-style furniture and cozy stone fireplaces or wood stoves. —Michele Herrmann, Forbes.com, 15 June 2025

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