ceiling
SEE-lihng
Ceiling (noun) means the interior surface that forms the top of a room. Example: “We painted the living room ceiling white to make the space feel brighter.”
noun
1
The interior surface that forms the top of a room.
"We painted the living room ceiling white to make the space feel brighter."
"A spider crawled slowly across the kitchen ceiling above the table."
"Water stains spread across the bedroom ceiling after the leak."
2
An upper limit placed on an amount, price, or achievement.
"The club agreed a ceiling of fifty pounds for each gift in the exchange."
"The government set a ceiling on rent increases."
"She feels like she's hit a ceiling in her career."
3
In mathematics, the smallest whole number that is greater than or equal to a given number.
"The teacher asked us to find the ceiling of seven point three on the board."
"If you take the ceiling of 9.01, you get a result of 10."
"The ceiling of 4.2 is 5."
How to use ceiling
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe surface above your head in a room, or, more broadly, any upper limit on something.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
hit a ceiling
glass ceiling
debt ceiling
high ceilings
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Word forms
- Plural
- ceilings
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We painted the living room _____ white to make the space feel brighter.
Etymology
From Middle English celing, related to an Old French word meaning "to conceal" — originally referring to the wall panelling as much as the overhead surface.
Related words
Rhymes for ceiling
See all rhymes for ceiling →Frequently asked questions
What does “ceiling” mean?
The word “ceiling” means the interior surface that forms the top of a room. In plain terms, the surface above your head in a room, or, more broadly, any upper limit on something.
How do you pronounce “ceiling”?
“Ceiling” is pronounced SEE-lihng (/ˈsilɪŋ/ in IPA).
How do you use “ceiling” in a sentence?
Here is “ceiling” used in a sentence: “Water stains spread across the bedroom ceiling after the leak.”
What is another word for “ceiling”?
Words with a similar meaning to “ceiling” include ceil.
What is the opposite of “ceiling”?
The opposite of “ceiling” — its antonyms — is floor.
What part of speech is “ceiling”?
“Ceiling” is a noun.
Where does the word “ceiling” come from?
The word “ceiling” comes from Old French. From Middle English celing, related to an Old French word meaning "to conceal" — originally referring to the wall panelling as much as the overhead surface.
Is “ceiling” a common word?
“Ceiling” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
What is the difference between a ceiling and a roof?
A ceiling is the interior surface forming the top of a room, seen from inside, while a roof is the outer structure that covers a building from the top. You look up at a ceiling indoors, but the roof is what protects the building from the weather outside. The two are separate surfaces with a space often between them.
What is the difference between a ceiling and a floor in economics?
A ceiling is an upper limit on an amount or price, while a floor is a lower limit below which it cannot fall. A price ceiling caps how high a price may go, and a price floor sets the minimum. The two terms are opposites used to describe boundaries.
