roof
gb/ɹˈuf/ us/ɹˈuf/
A1
English
~ 2000
Senses
0 senses
Noun
A1
entity
1
Top covering of a building
The top part of a building that covers it and keeps out rain, snow, sun, etc.
Usage pattern:
[a building] has a [roof]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'roof' with 'ceiling'; the ceiling is inside a room, while the roof is outside and on top of the building.
Synonyms
ceiling (Refers to the interior surface inside a room under the roof, not the outer covering.)
|
canopy (A covering over an area, often outdoors, not necessarily part of a building.)
Antonyms
floor (The surface you walk on inside a building, opposite in orientation to the roof.)
Collocations
flat roof
|pitched roof
|roof tiles
|roof repair
|roof garden
Themes
architecture
|daily life
|construction
|housing
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The heavy snow caused the roof to collapse.
- We decided to paint the roof red to match the shutters.
- Birds were nesting on the roof of the old barn.
- The workers climbed up to fix the leaking roof.
Learner examples
- The house has a red roof.
- Rain falls on the roof.
- The cat is on the roof.
- We clean the roof in summer.
Noun
B1
entity
2
Upper surface inside mouth
The top part inside your mouth, above your tongue.
Common mistake:
Learners may not know this meaning and think 'roof' only refers to buildings.
Synonyms
palate (The anatomical or medical term for the roof of the mouth.)
Collocations
roof of the mouth
Themes
anatomy
|health
|body
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The hot pizza burned the roof of my mouth.
- She felt a tickle on the roof of her mouth.
- The dentist examined the roof of his mouth for sores.
Learner examples
- I hurt the roof of my mouth.
- Food touched the roof of my mouth.
- The doctor looked at the roof of my mouth.
Verb
B2
action
3
To cover with a roof
To build or put a top cover on a building or structure.
Usage pattern:
to roof [a building/structure]
Synonyms
cover (A more general term meaning to place something over; not specific to roofs.)
Collocations
roof a house
|roofed structure
Themes
construction
|housing
|work
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- They will roof the new garage next week.
- The shed was roofed with corrugated metal.
- Workers are roofing the extension before winter arrives.
Learner examples
- They will roof the house soon.
- We need to roof the shed.
- The men are roofing the building.
Grammar
Dictionary form
roof
IPA
GB/ɹˈuf/
US/ɹˈuf/
Syllables & stress
roof (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (roof)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: roof
- Plural: roofs, rooves
Verb
- Base: roof
- 3rd Person Singular: roofs
- Present Participle: roofing
- Past: roofed
Word family
Forms
roofs
noun
rooves
noun
roofing
verb
roofed
verb
Related words
roofer
noun
rooftop
noun
Negative and opposite forms
roofless
adjective
Advanced or less common
reroof
verb
Expressions
go through the roof
1/ɡˈoʊ θɹˈu ðə ɹˈuf/
idiom
informal
Increase greatly or become angry
To increase very quickly; or to become very angry.
Examples
- Prices have gone through the roof this year.
- Dad will go through the roof when he hears about this accident.
hit the roof
1/hˈɪt ðə ɹˈuf/
idiom
informal
Become very angry suddenly
To suddenly get very angry.
Examples
- She hit the roof when she saw the mess in the kitchen.
- My boss will hit the roof if we miss another deadline.
raise the roof
1/ɹˈeɪz ðə ɹˈuf/
idiom
informal
Make loud noise in celebration or protest
To make a lot of noise, usually by cheering or shouting.
Examples
- The crowd raised the roof when their team scored.
- They plan to raise the roof at tonight's concert.
under one roof
1/ˈʌndɚ wˈʌn ɹˈuf/
idiom
In the same building
In the same place or building.
Examples
- The new shopping center has all your favorite stores under one roof.
- We finally have all our offices under one roof.