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soffit

noun
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sof·​fit | \ ˈsä-fət How to pronounce soffit (audio) \

Definition of soffit

: the underside of a part or member of a building (as of an overhang or staircase) especially : the intrados of an arch

Examples of soffit in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The soffit is a dense string of meanders and squares of flowers and masks. — Brian T. Allen, National Review, "The Immovable Raphael," 19 Sep. 2020 The kitchen is light and bright because high clerestory windows are stripped along the soffits at the tops of the cabinets. — Judy Rose, Detroit Free Press, "$3.25M Bloomfield Twp. home is so big the wine cellar has a wine cellar," 18 Apr. 2020 Overhanging eaves give it a more residential look than most commercial steel buildings, which usually have only minimal soffits. — Richard A. Marini, ExpressNews.com, "Tricked-out Kerrville-area barn converted to a Texas ranch-style home, a barndominium," 25 Mar. 2020 The home features clean-line Cottonwood limestone walls, mahogany soffits and siding and copper fascia. — Dallas News, "Firm leads in 2019 estate sales, per MLS statistics," 12 Jan. 2020 The first phase of construction was to streamline everything: take out the cheap tongue and groove flooring, get rid of the weird soffits throughout the home, rework the staircase, and bring the bad build back to its original, personality-less form. — Lucia Tonelli, ELLE Decor, "California Cool Gets a High-Fashion Facelift In This Cheerful Newport Home," 7 Jan. 2020 The house is roofed with slate with copper for its soffits and gutters. — Judy Rose, Detroit Free Press, "Terraces, balconies make $3M Grosse Pointe Shores mansion special," 20 July 2019 Attic ventilation should be replaced or modified to have 1/8th-inch metal mesh coverings, to prevent embers from being blown in, and open eaves and soffits should be enclosed. — Emily Sorensen, Pomerado News, "New fire chief: Dangers blossom from wet winter, spring," 18 July 2019 The living room boasts walls of windows and a central brick fireplace with soffit lighting. — Megan Barber, Curbed, "Midcentury modern with original bathrooms asks $400K," 20 June 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'soffit.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of soffit

1592, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for soffit

French soffite, from Italian soffitto, from Vulgar Latin *suffictus, past participle of Latin suffigere to fasten underneath — more at suffix

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Cite this Entry

“Soffit.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/soffit. Accessed 4 Mar. 2021.

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