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

The San Diego Planning Commission discussed placing caps on ADUs, but directed the city planning department to come up with options, with a decision ultimately by the City Council and Mayor Todd Gloria, all of whom appear committed to reforming backyard cottage policies. —Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 May 2025

Different cultivars of hydrangeas work well in cottage or formal garden designs as mass plantings, hedges, or specimen plants. —Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 25 Apr. 2025

Actor Kelsey Grammer has upset English villagers with his plans to tear down a 200-year-old cottage near Bristol. —Arick Wierson, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Apr. 2025

Homes in the community span from cottages to condos to apartments to hit every price point and to welcome anyone at any socioeconomic level. —Jennifer Castenson, Forbes.com, 24 Apr. 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