noun

ottoman

O-tuh-muhn

noun

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."

adj

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."

How to Use Ottoman

Learner’s notes

In 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

Word Forms

ottomans plural, Ottomans plural

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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.

Rhymes for ottoman

Oman woman roman Loman yeoman madwoman catwoman saleswoman chairwoman policewoman councilwoman businesswoman

See all rhymes for ottoman →