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

living under my roof [=in my house]

didn't have a roof over my head[=didn't have any place to live]

They all live under the same roof. [=in the same house]

2

a

: the highest point : summit

b

: an upper limit : ceiling

the roof of the cave

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

see also go through the roof, raise the roof, through the roof

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

Synonyms of roof

Noun

• canopy
• tent
• ceiling

Verb

• house
• shelter
• accommodate

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

Inside, organizers enacted extreme heat protocols, forcing closure of the retractable roofs over the main arenas and postponement of matches on the uncovered outer courts. —CBS News, 27 Jan. 2026

Infrastructure issues flagged decades earlier still leave inmates housed under leaking roofs and failing electrical systems. —Walter Pavlo, Forbes.com, 27 Jan. 2026

Verb

Gizmag spent a good chunk of the year exploring shows like the Dusseldorf Caravan Salon to find the most interesting rolling field shelters – from camper vans, to camping trailers, to roof tents and more. —New Atlas, 21 Jan. 2026

Whether high winds topple the tree in your backyard or lead to roof damage, your homeowner's policy should cover the damage. —Kristine Lazar, CBS News, 15 Jan. 2026

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
• roof garden
• roof over my head
• roof rack
• under my roof
• under one roof
• under someone's roof
• under the same roof

Rhymes for roof

• goof
• hoof
• kloof
• poof
• proof
• spoof
• woof
• aloof
• behoof
• disproof
• flameproof
• foolproof

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