What does roof mean?
Roof is a common English word used primarily as a noun for the upper covering of a building or similar structure. It can refer to the complete roof, including its supporting framework and weatherproof exterior, or more narrowly to a particular roof covering, such as slate, tile, or thatch. A vehicle may also have a roof, and the word has a specialized anatomical sense in the expression roof of the mouth, meaning the palate. As a verb, roof means to cover or provide something with a roof, as in roofed porch. The word is useful because it names a familiar architectural feature while also participating in idiomatic expressions such as through the roof. Roof is used widely in British and American English and carries no strong regional or emotional connotations in ordinary contexts.
The upper covering of a building or other structure, including its framework and weatherproof exterior.
"A thick layer of snow rested on the roof."
The word is also used for the upper covering of a vehicle and, anatomically, for the palate.
To cover or provide something with a roof.
"They roofed the old porch with corrugated metal."
The verb is commonly used with structures and in the expression roof over.
The plural is used when referring to multiple buildings, structures, or roof coverings.
"Several steep roofs rise above the town."
The “roof” of your mouth has a formal anatomical name: the palate.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does roof come from?
The noun descends from Old English hrof, meaning “roof,” and continued through Middle English in the form roof. The word has Germanic origins and belongs to a family of related forms found in other Germanic languages. The verb developed from the noun, acquiring the sense of covering or providing with a roof.
Related word forms
How roof is actually used
Roof is neutral and common in both formal and informal English. As a verb, it is especially natural in constructions involving covering a structure, while cover is often more suitable for general objects.
Easily confused with roof
Roof is pronounced /ruːf/ and means an upper covering, while rough is pronounced /rʌf/ and means uneven, coarse, or not smooth.