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
Inside, antique art hangs on walls, tamgroute (local pottery) lines small alcoves, board games are stacked inside cupboards, and coffee table books have plenty to dive into. — Katie Silcox, Vogue, 23 Aug. 2026 Mail and Paper Piles Leaving mail and stacks of paper on coffee tables, console tables, and end tables is distracting and causes a conflict between relaxation and productive tasks, which Lee notes are two things that don't go together. — Maria Sabella, The Spruce, 23 Aug. 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 28 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

coffee table

noun
: a low table usually placed in front of a sofa
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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