English · Word Candidate

ottoman

/ˈɑtəmən/

Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.

Also seen as: ottomans

Sense 1

Meaning · English

An upholstered sofa, without arms or a back, sometimes with a compartment for storing linen etc.

Noun

Examples

In the middle of the room there is a big ottoman; and this, with the carpet, the Morris wall-papers, and the Morris chintz window curtains and brocade covers of the ottoman and its cushions, supply all the ornament, and are much too handsome to be hidden by odds and ends of useless things.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 2

Meaning · English

A low stool or thick cushion used to rest the feet or as a seat.

Noun

Examples

This ottoman is set on casters, and is a great convenience for holding articles, while serving also as a seat.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 3

Meaning · English

A member of the Ottoman dynasty.

Noun

Examples

[…] the Ottomans were a dynasty like every other, subject to the same laws of the rise and fall of states.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 4

Meaning · English

A citizen of the Ottoman Empire.

Noun

Examples

Nearly 250,000 Ottomans of various military ranks were taken captive by the Allied forces during World War I, which was referred to in Turkish variously as Büyük Harp, Cihan Harbi and Harb-i Umumi (or simply Seferberlik among the older generation of Turks) until World War II.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Common questions

What does “ottoman” mean?

An upholstered sofa, without arms or a back, sometimes with a compartment for storing linen etc.

Is “ottoman” formal or informal?

No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.