/ ruːf; NAmE / noun , verb
■ noun ( pl. roofs )
1.
the structure that covers or forms the top of a building or vehicle :
a flat / sloping roof
a thatched / slate, etc. roof
The corner of the classroom was damp where the roof had leaked.
Tim climbed on to the garage roof.
The roof of the car was not damaged in the accident.
—see also sunroof —picture at house
2.
-roofed (in adjectives) having the type of roof mentioned :
flat-roofed buildings
3.
the top of an underground space such as a tunnel or cave
4.
roof of your mouth the top of the inside of your mouth
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IDIOMS
- go through the roof
- have a roof over your head
- under one roof | under the same roof
- under your roof
—more at hit verb , raise verb
■ verb
roof sth (in / over) | roof sth (with / in sth) [ vn ] [ often passive ] to cover sth with a roof; to put a roof on a building :
The shopping centre is not roofed over.
Their cottage was roofed with green slate.
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WORD ORIGIN
Old English hrōf , of Germanic origin; related to Old Norse hróf boat shed, Dutch roef deckhouse. English alone has the general sense covering of a house ; other Germanic languages use forms related to thatch .