coffee-table

1 of 2

adjective

cof·​fee-ta·​ble ˈkȯ-fē-ˌtā-bəl How to pronounce coffee-table (audio)
ˈkä-
Synonyms of coffee-tablenext
: of, relating to, or being an article (such as a book or magazine) intended for display (as on a coffee table)

coffee table

2 of 2

noun

: a low table customarily placed in front of a sofa

called also cocktail table

Examples of coffee-table in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
The easy fix is to position it at coffee-table height, tilt it up, and let the auto-keystone correction square off the image. — M. David Stone, PC Magazine, 23 Aug. 2026 To start, there must be thousands of books around the property—coffee-table tomes about nature, volumes of Dickens, some mystery novels for good measure—filling shelves in every guest room, up to the balcony reading nook in the main lodge. — Laura Dannen Redman, Robb Report, 13 Aug. 2026
Noun
Plus, the modular set includes one roomy sofa, one armchair, a large and small ottoman, and an acacia coffee table that can be configured in several layouts to suit your needs. — Maria Conti, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Sep. 2026 Score 74 percent off a three-piece conversation set with a coffee table that’s great for fall football gatherings. — Toni Sutton, PEOPLE, 1 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for coffee-table

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1962, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1877, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of coffee-table was in 1877

Rhymes for coffee-table

See All Rhymes for coffee-table

Browse Nearby Words

coffee spoon
coffee-table
coffee table
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Coffee-table.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/coffee-table. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

coffee table

noun
: a low table usually placed in front of a sofa
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of dissonant

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
skateboard-dog-hat
Wordmaxxing Slang Quiz Give your vocabulary a glow up by getting sendy w...
See All