noun
Uncommon
ottoman
O-tuh-muhn
Ottoman (noun) means a low, padded piece of furniture used as a footstool or extra seat, usually without arms or a back. Example: “He kicked off his shoes and put his feet up on the ottoman.”
noun
1
A low, padded piece of furniture used as a footstool or extra seat, usually without arms or a back.
"He kicked off his shoes and put his feet up on the ottoman."
"The living room set came with a matching sofa and ottoman."
"The cat curled up to sleep on the ottoman beside the armchair."
adj
1
Relating to the Ottoman Empire, the Turkish-led empire that ruled much of the Middle East, North Africa, and southeastern Europe for centuries.
"The museum displayed Ottoman tiles from the sixteenth century."
"Ottoman architecture often features domes and slender towers called minarets."
"The history teacher showed us a map of the Ottoman territories."
How to use ottoman
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither a footstool you rest your feet on, or anything relating to the historical Ottoman Empire.
Common pairings
a leather ottoman
the Ottoman Empire
Ottoman architecture
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Word forms
- Plural
- ottomans
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He kicked off his shoes and put his feet up on the _____.
Etymology
Named after Osman I, founder of the Ottoman dynasty. The furniture sense arose in the early 1800s because reclining on low couches was associated with Middle Eastern style at the time.
Class of 1800
ottoman joined the language around 1800.
See the full Class of 1800 →
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for ottoman
Oman
woman
roman
Loman
yeoman
madwoman
catwoman
saleswoman
chairwoman
policewoman
councilwoman
businesswoman
See all rhymes for ottoman →
Frequently asked questions
What does “ottoman” mean?
The word “ottoman” means a low, padded piece of furniture used as a footstool or extra seat, usually without arms or a back. In plain terms, either a footstool you rest your feet on, or anything relating to the historical Ottoman Empire.
How do you pronounce “ottoman”?
“Ottoman” is pronounced O-tuh-muhn (/ˈɑtəmən/ in IPA).
How do you use “ottoman” in a sentence?
Here is “ottoman” used in a sentence: “He kicked off his shoes and put his feet up on the ottoman.”
What part of speech is “ottoman”?
Depending on how it is used, “ottoman” can be a noun and an adjective.
Where does the word “ottoman” come from?
The word “ottoman” dates back to around 1800. Named after Osman I, founder of the Ottoman dynasty. The furniture sense arose in the early 1800s because reclining on low couches was associated with Middle Eastern style at the time.
Is “ottoman” a common word?
“Ottoman” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “ottoman” have?
“Ottoman” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a low, padded piece of furniture used as a footstool or extra seat, usually without arms or a back.
What is the difference between an ottoman and a footstool?
An ottoman is a low, padded piece of furniture used as a footstool or extra seat, typically without arms or a back, while a plain footstool is usually a smaller, simpler support just for the feet. In practice the two terms overlap heavily, but ottoman implies a more cushioned, furniture-like piece.
When is ottoman capitalized?
Ottoman is capitalized when used as an adjective relating to the Ottoman Empire, the Turkish-led empire that ruled much of the Middle East, North Africa, and southeastern Europe. It is written lowercase when referring to the piece of furniture.
Can an ottoman be used as extra seating?
Yes, an ottoman can serve as an extra seat as well as a footstool, since it is designed as a low, padded piece of furniture without arms or a back.
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