roof
roof
Roof (noun) means the structure covering the top of a building or vehicle. Example: “A tree branch fell and dented the car's roof.”
noun
1
The structure covering the top of a building or vehicle.
"A tree branch fell and dented the car's roof."
"They replaced the leaking roof before winter set in."
"Birds built a nest on the roof of the old shed."
verb
1
To cover something with a roof.
"The barn was roofed with corrugated metal sheets."
"The builders will roof the extension with slate tiles next week."
"They roofed the garden shelter with wooden boards to keep the rain out."
How to use roof
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe top covering of a building, car, or other structure.
Common mistake
The plural is "roofs," not "rooves" — though "rooves" appears in some older or dialectal writing.
Common pairings
hit the roof
roof over your head
flat roof
thatched roof
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Word forms
- Plural
- roofs, rooves
- Third person singular
- roofs
- Past tense
- roofed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
A tree branch fell and dented the car's _____.
Etymology
From Old English hrōf, an old Germanic word originally meaning both "roof" and, poetically, "the sky" — the covering over everything.
Related words
Rhymes for roof
See all rhymes for roof →Frequently asked questions
What does “roof” mean?
The word “roof” means the structure covering the top of a building or vehicle. In plain terms, the top covering of a building, car, or other structure.
How do you pronounce “roof”?
“Roof” is pronounced roof (/ɹuːf/ in IPA).
How do you use “roof” in a sentence?
Here is “roof” used in a sentence: “A tree branch fell and dented the car's roof.”
What part of speech is “roof”?
Depending on how it is used, “roof” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “roof” come from?
The word “roof” comes from Old English. From Old English hrōf, an old Germanic word originally meaning both "roof" and, poetically, "the sky" — the covering over everything.
Is “roof” a common word?
“Roof” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “roof” have?
“Roof” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the structure covering the top of a building or vehicle.
What is the difference between a roof and a ceiling?
A roof is the outer structure covering the top of a building, exposed to the weather. A ceiling is the inner overhead surface you see from inside a room. Between them there is often a loft or void. In short, the roof is outside, while the ceiling is the surface directly above you indoors.
What are the types of roof?
Roofs are classified by shape and pitch. Common types include the flat roof, the sloping pitched roof, the gable roof with two slopes meeting at a ridge, and the hipped roof that slopes on all sides. Others include mansard and gambrel roofs. The choice affects drainage, space, and style.
What is an example of a roof?
The tiled or slated top of a house is a roof, as is the flat covering over an office block or the metal top of a car. A thatched cottage roof and a glass conservatory roof are further examples. Any structure covering the top of a building or vehicle qualifies.
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