# cottage

/ˈkɑtədʒ/ (US) · /kˈɒtɪdʒ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/cottage
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. small rural house

noun · CEFR B1

a small, old-fashioned house, usually in the countryside or a village.

For teachers: a small, modest dwelling, typically located in a rural or semi-rural setting.

- They spent their summer living in a tiny stone cottage in the mountains.
- The village is famous for its thatched-roof cottages, many of which have been preserved since the eighteenth century.

### 2. vacation home

noun · CEFR B2 · American English

a house used for holidays, often near a lake, forest, or the sea.

For teachers: a seasonal or recreational residence, frequently situated near water or in a remote natural area.

- Every July, the family heads north to their cottage by the lake.
- In Ontario, owning a cottage is a significant cultural tradition, with many families migrating to the lakeside every weekend during the warmer months.

### 4. to stay at a holiday home

verb · CEFR C1 · American English · Informal

to spend time living in a holiday home.

For teachers: to reside in or visit a seasonal recreational home.

- We spent the whole month cottaging in the Muskokas.
- The local economy relies heavily on those who come cottaging during the brief summer window.

## Examples

- We stayed in a lovely stone cottage by the lake.
- The retired couple decided to sell their city apartment and move to a quiet cottage in the mountains.
- While the exterior of the cottage retained its traditional thatched roof and ivy-covered walls, the interior had been completely renovated with modern amenities.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.