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

While the tower still exists and houses seniors, the cottages were demolished to make way for a mixed-income development. —Desiree Mathurin april 30, Charlotte Observer, 30 Apr. 2026

There’s also a swimming pool, a tennis court, and a separate three-bedroom cottage with a vaulted kitchen and living space. —Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 29 Apr. 2026

Pink, purple, red, white, yellow Cosmos are a cottage classic that are notoriously low-maintenance and hardy. —Ashley Chalmers, The Spruce, 26 Apr. 2026

Article continues below The nearly 5-acre property includes a guest cottage, pool, tennis court, and greenhouse. —The Week Us, TheWeek, 26 Apr. 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