What does shingled mean?
Shingled describes something covered with shingles, most often a roof or the building beneath it. Shingles are thin pieces of wood, slate, or similar material laid in overlapping rows to shed rain and protect a structure. The word can also function as the past tense and past participle of shingle, describing the act of fitting those pieces onto a roof or surface. In everyday use, “a shingled roof” is the most familiar expression, while “shingled house” and “shingled garage” are also common. Although shingles can be made from several materials, the word has a traditional association with wooden roofing. The form is used in both British and American English and carries no strong regional or social-class distinction. Its distinctive sound and clear connection to overlapping roof tiles make it especially useful when describing the layered, weather-resistant appearance of a roof.
Covered or made with shingles, especially when describing a roof or building.
"The farmhouse had a weathered shingled roof."
This is the most common modern use of the form.
The past tense and past participle of shingle, meaning to cover a roof or surface with shingles.
"The roofers shingled the cabin last weekend."
Often used in passive or participial constructions, as in “The walls were shingled with cedar”.
Like the wooden tiles they describe, shingles are laid in overlapping rows, turning a roof into a protective layered shield.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does shingled come from?
Shingled was formed by adding the past-tense and participial ending -ed to shingle, which comes through Middle English schindle from Old English scindel, meaning a thin piece of split wood. The English word belongs to a Germanic family that includes German Schindel and Middle Dutch schindel. Its roofing meaning developed from the earlier use of split pieces of wood as covering for roofs.
Related word forms
How shingled is actually used
The adjectival use is common in descriptions of roofs and buildings. As a verb form, shingled usually appears in passive or participial constructions, although active examples such as “They shingled the shed” are also natural.