ottoman
AH-tuh-muhn
/ˈɒtəmən/
A low, upholstered seat or footstool without a back or arms, often serving as a storage box.
Typically used as a footrest or casual seating, and very frequently features a hinged top for hidden storage.
The story behind the word. This piece of furniture was introduced to Europe from the Ottoman Empire in the late 18th century. Originally, it was a plush, sectional seat that wrapped around the walls of a room, which Western designers later scaled down into the freestanding footstool we use today.
Word relationships
- pouffe: A pouffe is generally smaller, fully stuffed, and lacks the internal storage compartment or solid frame of an ottoman.
- footstool: A footstool is a generic term that can include simple wooden stools, whereas an ottoman is always upholstered.
Commonly confused with
- bench: A bench is typically longer, often wooden, and designed primarily for multiple people to sit upright.
Collocations
- upholstered ottoman
- storage ottoman
- leather ottoman
Example sentences
- "She rested her feet on the velvet ottoman after a long day of walking." A description of a cozy reading corner.
Memory hook
Imagine an empire of comfort where you can rest your feet on an 'Ottoman' throne. Ottoman: Your feet's favorite empire.
When not to use
Do not confuse with a standard bench, which usually has legs and lacks the fully upholstered, box-like structure of an ottoman.
Fun facts
- In the 18th century, ottomans were the central focus of Turkish-style lounging rooms before becoming Western fireplace accessories.
Related words
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