cottage

Quaint rural dwelling

A cottage is a small, simple house, typically in a rural or semi-rural setting.

The word evokes quaintness and charm: a cottage in the woods, a thatched cottage.

Cottages often serve as vacation homes: We rented a cottage by the lake for the summer.

In some contexts, cottage suggests modest or cozy rather than strictly small.

rural

countryside

Rural area beyond towns

hamletTiny rural settlement
villageSmall rural community
pastoralOf countryside or clergy care

farmland · meadow · orchard · hedgerow · bucolic · idyllic · pasture · farmhouse · thatch · croft

dwelling

bungalow

One-story house with porch

cabinSimple wooden dwelling
abodePlace of residence
residencePlace one inhabits

homestead · chalet · villa · retreat · dwelling · lodging · shelter · domicile · habitation · household

quaint

thatched

Roofed with dried vegetation

gabledWith triangular roof ends
whitewashedConcealed with false appearance
chimneyVertical smoke passage

garden · picket fence · arbor · roses · ivy · stone · antique · vintage · historic · picturesque

cozy

snug

Comfortably close-fitting

warmthHeat you feel
hearthFireplace floor area
firesideArea beside the hearth

comfort · blankets · welcoming · homely · intimate · nestled · cushions · nook · inglenook · crackling fire

simple

modest

Lacking in pretension

humbleUnassuming about oneself
smallLimited in size
unassumingNot making claims

unpretentious · basic · plain · spartan · rustic · quaint · understated · compact · cozy · functional

retreat

getaway

Swift departure or retreat

sanctuaryProtected sacred space
escapeFlight from captivity
solitudeState of being alone

hideaway · respite · seclusion · haven · vacation · peace · tranquility · rejuvenation · leisure · sabbatical

Categories

countrysidefarmhouse, farm, barns, farmyard, barn
fairy taledragon, witch, troll, giant, elf
housingapartments, home, house, houses, homes
dwellingshouse, home, apartment, cabin, mansion
lodginghotel, inn, motel, hotels, hostel
architectureEiffel Tower, buildings, architects, design, thatching

Opposites

size and grandeur

cottagemansion

Large, stately home

palace · castle · manor · estate · chateau

setting and location

cottagehigh-rise

Multistory tall building

skyscraper · tower block · city apartment · urban loft · tenement

architectural complexity

cottagefortress

Heavily defended military structure

cathedral · compound · citadel

Phrases

cottage cheeseFresh cheese with curds
cottage piesBeef baked under potato
cottage cheese assDimpled fatty buttocks
cottage industrySmall home-based business
summer cottageSeasonal recreational dwelling
beach cottageSmall dwelling by ocean

Family

cottages, cottagers, cottager, cottagelike, cottage cheese, cottage industry, cottage pie, cottage industries

Familiarity: Top 10,000
Profile: Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Positive · Everyday, not technical · Rated G