The word settee is derived from an old English word, setl, meaning a long bench with a carved back.  Today, a settee remains a long bench, but upholstered, with a back and arms. It is smaller than a sofa in size.

Settees are a type of couch dating to the 18th century and became popular during the reigns of King Louis XV and XVI. They often have a shaped front and a high back with a band of polished wood arounds the arms, frame and back. Settees have a long, single seat instead of separate cushions. In French, settees are often called canapés.