What does maisonette mean?
A maisonette is a small house, usually a modest detached or semidetached home, although the word can also denote a small apartment in some North American contexts. It belongs chiefly to British English, where it often appears in property descriptions, rental advertisements, and casual conversation about housing. The term is more specific than house but does not necessarily imply a traditional cottage, since a maisonette may be newly built or part of a modern development. In American English, maisonette can suggest a compact apartment, though speakers usually use condo, apartment, or flat instead. The word comes from French and combines maison, meaning “house,” with the diminutive suffix -ette. Its usefulness lies in conveying both modest size and a somewhat more refined or descriptive quality than the plain word house.
nounA small house, especially a modest detached or semidetached dwelling. In some North American usage, it can also mean a small apartment.
- A small house, especially a modest detached or semidetached dwelling.
- In some North American usage, a small apartment or flat.
"They bought a charming maisonette a short walk from the village centre."
"The family lived in a neat two-bedroom maisonette with a small garden."
"The broker showed them a compact maisonette on the second floor of an older building."
The usual plural of the count noun.
"Several small maisonettes line the quiet side street."
Its French name reveals its scale: maisonette literally means “little house.”
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does maisonette come from?
Maisonette entered English from French in the early 19th century. It is formed from maison, meaning “house,” and the diminutive suffix -ette, so its original sense is “little house.” French maison itself comes through Vulgar Latin from Latin mansio, an dwelling or stopping place; English mansion is a cognate with the same Latin ancestry.
Related word forms
How maisonette is actually used
The word is most common in British English. In North American English it is less frequent and may refer to a small apartment as well as a small house; in everyday American usage, apartment or condo is usually preferred.
Easily confused with maisonette
A mansion is a large, imposing house, whereas a maisonette is a modest or compact dwelling.
A manor is a country house or the principal residence of a landed estate, while a maisonette is simply a small house or apartment.