cottage

noun

cot·​tage ˈkä-tij How to pronounce cottage (audio)
Synonyms of cottagenext
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 How to pronounce cottage (audio)
adjective

Synonyms of cottage

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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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The backstory The building was originally commissioned as a Gilded Age cottage back in 1874, and went through several compelling forms before its current rebirth, including a speakeasy during the Prohibition Era and the former Candlelight Inn. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Oct. 2026 In our film, Edward’s mother doesn’t appear, and Lucy Steele’s sister doesn’t appear, and there’s a whole sequence where Edward visits them at the cottage, which doesn’t appear in either film. — Mya Copeland, Variety, 19 Oct. 2026 Especially once they’re pushed out of their family home and must make do in a cottage in Devonshire, Snell wanted to show how the girls borrow from each other, adapt odds and ends, and don’t always put outfits together to match. — Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 16 Oct. 2026 The rustic property featured a one-bedroom cottage, a large barn, and a fishing lake, offering a quiet country retreat alongside her more elaborate waterfront residence. — Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 16 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for cottage

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of cottage was in the 15th century

Phrases Containing cottage

Rhymes for cottage

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Browse Nearby Words

cotta
cottage
cottage bonnet
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Cite this Entry

“Cottage.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cottage. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

cottage

noun
cot·​tage ˈkät-ij How to pronounce cottage (audio)
1
: a small one-family house
2
: a small house for vacation use
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