Meaning & use

coffee table

noun·Everyday

A low table, usually placed in front of a sofa, for holding drinks, magazines, or decorative objects.

See it in a sentence

We set the tray of snacks down on the coffee table before the guests arrived.

A stack of photography books covered the entire coffee table.

A note on using this word

The phrase "coffee-table book" describes a large, richly illustrated book meant for display rather than close reading.

Words with a similar meaning

This term is best learned through its definition and examples.

Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “coffee table”, then compare your use with the examples above.

Your draft stays on this page and is not sent anywhere.