settee

American  

[set-tee] / sɛtˈti /

noun

1. a seat for two or more persons, having a back and usually arms, and often upholstered.

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settee British  

/ sɛˈtiː /

noun

1. a seat, for two or more people, with a back and usually with arms

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Etymology

Origin of settee

First recorded in 1710–20; perhaps variant of settle ²

Explanation

A settee is similar to a loveseat, an upholstered piece of furniture that's big enough for more than one person to sit on. If you don't have enough comfortable places to sit in your apartment, you might consider buying a settee. The definition of a settee is essentially the same as a sofa: an upholstered bench with a back and arms. It's more commonly used in Britain than the U.S., and has an old-fashioned sound to it, but you can use this word to describe your loveseat or couch if you like: "Come sit on the settee with me!" Etymologists' best guess about the word's origin is that settee is related to settle, "sit comfortably."

Example Sentences

Jimenez likes a backless settee or daybed placed in front of a fireplace, so people can admire the flames facing one way and turn to converse with others in the opposite direction.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 8, 2024

They were raising funds to buy a settee for their local hospital, in memory of one of their husbands - John Baker - who died from non-Hodgkin lymphoma in 1998.

From BBC • Sep. 23, 2023

Wright Auctions, a leading venue for the sales of contemporary design goods, has fetched five-figure deals for a Hans Wegner desk, a George Nakashima settee and a chair designed by Charles Eames and Eero Saarinen.

From New York Times • Mar. 29, 2023

The fabulous settee is, unfortunately, a one-off, but it is very inviting.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 27, 2023

The huge bed had been re-made as a settee.

From "The Once and Future King" by T. H. White

Related Words

• love seat
• sofa