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roof

SayROOF/ɹuf//ɹuːf/

Pluralroofs

Verbroofs, roofing, roofed

8 meanings of roof

Practice

  1. 1
    top coveringnouncountable
    The covering over the top of a building or vehicle, including its outside surface.

    Like a big lid that sits on top of a house.

    The roof leaked every time it rained.

    We tied our bikes to the roof of the car before the trip.

    UsageMore than one is roofs (not incorrect: rooves). Things are on the roof.

    Note
  2. 2
    ceilingnouncountable
    The top inside surface of a space such as a cave, tunnel, or mine.

    Like the ceiling of a room, but inside a small hollow space.

    The roof of the cave was covered in tiny crystals.

    She burned the roof of her mouth on hot soup.

    UsageUsually the roof of something, like the roof of your mouth.

    Note
  3. 3
    cover a buildingverbtransitive
    To put a covering over the top of a building.

    Like putting a lid on top of a box.

    They roofed the barn with metal sheets.

    Workers will roof the new house next week.

    UsageYou roof a house with tiles or metal.

    Similarcover

    Note

Practice

Can you tell the meanings of roof apart? Answer 4 quick questions from this page, or write your own sentence and AI will check it.

Origins

Meanings 1–2, 6

It comes from Old English "hrōf," meaning roof or ceiling.

Checked 7 Nov 2026 · 2 facts

Meanings 3–5

It comes from a Middle English verb "rofen," meaning to roof, which came from the noun.

Checked 7 Nov 2026 · 3 facts