roof

1 of 2

noun

ˈrüf  ˈru̇f 

plural roofs ˈrüfs 

ˈru̇fs,

 also  ˈrüvz,

ˈru̇vz 

1

a(1)

: the cover of a building

(2)

: material used for a roof : roofing

b

: the roof of a dwelling conventionally designating the home itself

didn't have a roof over my head

they share the same roof

2

a

: the highest point : summit

b

: an upper limit : ceiling

3

a

: the vaulted upper boundary of the mouth

b

: a covering structure of any of various parts of the body

roof of the skull

4

: something suggesting a roof: such as

a

: a canopy of leaves and branches

b

: the top over the passenger section of a vehicle

roofed

ˈrüft 

ˈru̇ft

adjective

roofless

ˈrü-fləs 

ˈru̇-

adjective

rooflike

ˈrüf-ˌlīk 

ˈru̇f-

adjective

Illustration of roof

• 1 gambrel
• 2 mansard
• 3 hip
• 4 lean-to

roof

2 of 2

verb

roofed; roofing; roofs

transitive verb

1

a

: to cover with or as if with a roof

b

: to provide with a particular kind of roof or roofing

—often used in combination

slate-roofed houses

2

: to constitute a roof over

roofer noun

Phrases

through the roof

: to an extremely or excessively high level

prices went through the roof

Synonyms

Noun

• awning
• canopy
• ceiling
• cover
• tent

Verb

• accommodate
• bestow
• billet
• bivouac
• board
• bunk
• camp
• chamber
• domicile
• encamp
• harbor
• house
• lodge
• put up
• quarter
• room
• shelter
• take in

Examples of roof in a Sentence

Noun

the roof of a car

The roof of the old barn collapsed.

He bit into a hot slice of pizza and burned the roof of his mouth.

Verb

fed and roofed the emergency volunteers for a week

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The mansion with its stone façade and slate roof houses some 50 rooms that spread across 13,000 square feet of living space and five levels. —Catherine Dunwoody, Forbes, 17 Dec. 2024

The painstaking restoration of Notre Dame involved the labor of hundreds of specialized artisans who refashioned everything from the lead sheets used to form the nave’s peaked roof to vital portions of stone masonry, CBS reported. —Martin Lerma, Robb Report, 16 Dec. 2024

Verb

Since 1982, Rezendes and his helpers have built elaborate sets in his front yard and roof for the holidays. —Susan Young, People.com, 5 Dec. 2024

His sculptures and paintings employ construction materials like wood, rubber and roofing tar. —Siddhartha Mitter, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Old English hrōf; akin to Old Norse hrōf roof of a boathouse and perhaps to Old Church Slavic stropŭ roof

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing roof

• a roof over one's head
• gable roof
• gambrel roof
• go through the roof
• hip roof
• hit the roof
• raise the roof
• roof garden
• roof rack
• under one roof
• under someone's roof
• under the same roof

Kids Definition

roof

1 of 2 noun

ˈrüf  ˈru̇f 

plural roofs ˈrüfs  ˈru̇fs 

ˈrüvz,

ˈru̇vz

1

a

: the upper covering part of a building

b

: a place to live : home

a roof over one's head

2

: the upper boundary of the mouth

3

: something resembling a roof in form, position, or purpose

roofed

ˈrüft 

ˈru̇ft

adjective

roofless

ˈrüf-ləs 

ˈru̇f-

adjective

rooflike

-ˌlīk 

adjective

roof

2 of 2 verb

1

: to cover with or as if with a roof

2

: to provide with roofing

roofer noun

Medical Definition

roof

noun

ˈrüf  ˈru̇f 

plural roofs

ˈrüfs, ˈru̇fs also ˈrüvz, ˈru̇vz

1

: the vaulted upper boundary of the mouth supported largely by the palatine bones and limited anteriorly by the dental lamina and posteriorly by the uvula and upper part of the fauces

2

: a covering structure of any of various parts of the body other than the mouth

roof of the skull

roof of the dental pulp chamber