Definition

1. Noun:

   • The structure forming the upper covering of a building or vehicle: The roof is the top part that provides shelter and protection from weather.
   • The top inner surface of a cavity or hollow space: This refers to the uppermost part inside something, like a cave or the mouth.
   • An upper limit or ceiling (figurative): Used metaphorically to indicate a maximum allowable limit on something.

2. Verb:

   • To cover or provide a structure with a roof: The action of constructing or installing a roof on a building.

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • The rain was loud on the tin roof.
  • We need to repair the roof before winter.
  • The roof of the car was dented in the hail storm.
  • Bats hung from the roof of the cave.
  • The company set a roof on travel expenses to control costs.

• Verb:

  • They plan to roof the new extension with slate.
  • The gazebo was roofed with thatch.

Advanced Usage

• "To hit the roof" (idiom): To become very angry.

  • My dad will hit the roof when he sees the broken window.

• "A roof over one's head" (idiom): Having a place to live; basic shelter.

  • After the flood, they were just grateful to have a roof over their heads.

• "Under one's roof": In one's house or home.

  • While you are under my roof, you will follow my rules.

Variants and Related Words

• Roofing (n): The material used for roofs or the process of installing a roof.

  • They chose metal roofing for durability.

• Roofless (adj): Without a roof; open to the sky.

  • The old castle was roofless and exposed to the elements.

• Roofed (adj): Having a roof, often specified by type.

  • It was a roofed pavilion.

Synonyms

• Noun: Ceiling, cover, top, canopy, shelter.
• Verb: Cover, top, cap, shelter.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• "Roof in": To cover or enclose an area with a roof.
  • We decided to roof in the patio to make a sunroom.

Related Idioms

• "The roof of the world": A poetic name for a high mountain region, especially the Pamirs or Tibet.

  • They embarked on an expedition to the roof of the world.

• "To go through the roof": To rise to a very high level (e.g., prices, temperatures, or anger).

  • Temperatures are expected to go through the roof this weekend.
  • Sales went through the roof after the product was featured online.

Noun

1. an upper limit on what is allowed
   • he put a ceiling on the number of women who worked for him
   • there was a roof on salaries
   • they established a cap for prices
2. the inner top surface of a covered area or hollow space
   • the roof of the cave was very high
   • I could see the roof of the bear's mouth
3. protective covering on top of a motor vehicle
4. a protective covering that covers or forms the top of a building

Verb

1. provide a building with a roof; cover a building with a roof