cottage
KOT-ihj
Cottage (noun) means a small house, typically simple and often found in the countryside. Example: “The little cottage had a thatched roof and a tiny garden.”
noun
1
A small house, typically simple and often found in the countryside.
"The little cottage had a thatched roof and a tiny garden."
"They rented a stone cottage in the Cotswolds for the weekend."
"Her grandmother still lives in the same cottage she grew up in."
2
A second home used for holidays or getaways, regardless of size.
"We are driving up to the cottage on Friday for a long weekend."
"Their cottage by the sea is where they escape from the city."
"The family spends every August at their lake cottage."
How to use cottage
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA small, cosy house, often in the country or by the coast — sometimes a main home, sometimes a holiday retreat.
Common pairings
a cosy cottage
a country cottage
cottage by the sea
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Word forms
- Plural
- cottages
- Third person singular
- cottages
- Past tense
- cottaged
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The little _____ had a thatched roof and a tiny garden.
Etymology
From Old Northern French cot/cote ("hut"), ultimately from Old Norse kot — the same root that gives German Kate and Swedish kåta.
Related words
Rhymes for cottage
See all rhymes for cottage →Frequently asked questions
What does “cottage” mean?
The word “cottage” means a small house, typically simple and often found in the countryside. In plain terms, a small, cosy house, often in the country or by the coast — sometimes a main home, sometimes a holiday retreat.
How do you pronounce “cottage”?
“Cottage” is pronounced KOT-ihj (/ˈkɒt.ɪd͡ʒ/ in IPA).
How do you use “cottage” in a sentence?
Here is “cottage” used in a sentence: “They rented a stone cottage in the Cotswolds for the weekend.”
What part of speech is “cottage”?
“Cottage” is a noun.
Where does the word “cottage” come from?
The word “cottage” comes from French. From Old Northern French cot/cote ("hut"), ultimately from Old Norse kot — the same root that gives German Kate and Swedish kåta.
Is “cottage” a common word?
“Cottage” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “cottage” have?
“Cottage” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a small house, typically simple and often found in the countryside.
What is the difference between a cottage and a house?
A cottage is a type of house — specifically a small, simple one, traditionally found in the countryside. "House" is the general word for any dwelling, while "cottage" implies modest size, cosy character, and often a rural or holiday setting.
What is the difference between a cottage and a cabin?
Both are small, simple dwellings, but a cabin suggests a rougher structure, often associated with log construction and remote woodland or mountain settings. A cottage suggests a more finished, homely house in the countryside or a village, and in many regions it also means a holiday home.
Why are large holiday homes still called cottages?
In one common usage, especially in North America, a cottage is any second home used for holidays or getaways, regardless of its size. In that sense the word describes the home's purpose — relaxation and escape — rather than a literally small building.
What is a cottage industry?
A cottage industry is small-scale production carried out in people's homes rather than in factories — the "cottage" evokes work done in a small, simple house. Today the phrase covers almost any modest home-based business, such as handmade goods sold online.
