noun
Common
dome
dohm
Dome (noun) means a rounded, hemispherical roof or ceiling. Example: “The observatory has a white dome that opens to show the sky.”
noun
1
A rounded, hemispherical roof or ceiling.
"The observatory has a white dome that opens to show the sky."
"Sunlight streamed through the glass dome above the atrium."
"The cathedral's dome can be seen from across the city."
2
Informal: a person's head.
"Put a hat on, or that bald dome will get sunburnt."
"He bumped his dome on the low doorway again."
"He scratched his dome, trying to remember the answer."
How to use dome
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA rounded roof shaped like half a sphere; informally, someone's head.
Common pairings
a glass dome
a domed ceiling
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Word forms
- Plural
- domes
- Third person singular
- domes
- Past tense
- domed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The observatory has a white _____ that opens to show the sky.
Etymology
From Italian duomo, ultimately from Latin domus ecclesiae, "house of the church" — the same root as "domestic."
Related words
Rhymes for dome
See all rhymes for dome →Frequently asked questions
What does “dome” mean?
The word “dome” means a rounded, hemispherical roof or ceiling. In plain terms, a rounded roof shaped like half a sphere; informally, someone's head.
How do you pronounce “dome”?
“Dome” is pronounced dohm (/dəʊm/ in IPA).
How do you use “dome” in a sentence?
Here is “dome” used in a sentence: “Sunlight streamed through the glass dome above the atrium.”
What part of speech is “dome”?
“Dome” is a noun.
Where does the word “dome” come from?
The word “dome” comes from Latin. From Italian duomo, ultimately from Latin domus ecclesiae, "house of the church" — the same root as "domestic.".
Is “dome” a common word?
“Dome” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “dome” have?
“Dome” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a rounded, hemispherical roof or ceiling.
What is the difference between a dome and a cupola?
A dome is a rounded, hemispherical roof or ceiling, often large and forming the main top of a building. A cupola is usually a smaller dome-like structure set on top of a roof or a larger dome, frequently used for light or ventilation, so a cupola is often a small dome while a dome can be the whole roof.
What is the difference between a dome and a vault?
A dome is a rounded roof shaped like half a sphere, curving in every direction from a central point. A vault is an arched ceiling that usually extends in one direction like a tunnel, so a dome curves around a point while a vault curves along a line.
