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📕 rednote ID(小红书号)：3881567312

Roof: Definitions, Examples, and Common Collocations (3 meaning)

Meaning 1：building's top cover (roof)

roof 🔊

/ruːf/

The top part of a building that covers it and protects from weather.

House with a grey sloped roof under blue sky

building's top cover 🔊

➕

/ˈbɪldɪŋz tɒp ˈkʌvər/

The external upper covering of a building that provides shelter from weather.

📁 Category：Buildings & Places 🔖 Level：Beginner

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Old English 'hrof', meaning 'roof' or 'top'; akin to Old Norse 'hrof'.

💡 Mnemonic

Think of 'R' + 'oof' sounding like 'room' — the roof is the top of the room.

📖 Example

The rain made a peaceful sound as it tapped on the roof. 🔊 The rain made a peaceful sound as it tapped on the roof.

🔗 Collocations

roof tile – A flat or curved ceramic or concrete piece used to cover roofs.

roof repair – The act of fixing damages to a building's roof.

roof garden – A garden built on the roof of a building.

🔄 Synonyms

top (n.) – The highest part or point of something.

cover (n.) – Something that protects or hides an object.

canopy (n.) – An overhead covering or shelter.

🚫 Antonyms

floor (n.) – The bottom surface of a room or building.

foundation (n.) – The base on which a building stands.

🌱 Derivatives

roofing (n.) – Material used for constructing a roof.

roofed (adj.) – Having a roof.

roofless (adj.) – Without a roof.

📖 Cultural Story

The word has Germanic origins, related to the idea of a covering. 'Roof over one's head' symbolizes shelter and security in many cultures.

Meaning 2：cave's upper surface (roof)

roof 🔊

/ruːf/

The top inside surface of a space, like a cave or a room.

Rocky cave roof with stalactites inside cave

cave's upper surface 🔊

➕

/keɪvz ˈʌpər ˈsɜːrfɪs/

The rock formation forming the upper interior surface of a natural cavity or cave.

📁 Category：Natural Geography 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

The roof of the cave was covered with amazing stalactites that looked like stone icicles. 🔊 The roof of the cave was covered with amazing stalactites that looked like stone icicles.

🔗 Collocations

cave roof – The interior uppermost part of a cave.

rock roof – A roof made of natural rock.

cavern roof – The ceiling of a large cave chamber.

🔄 Synonyms

ceiling (n.) – The upper interior surface of a room or enclosed space.

vault (n.) – An arched structure that forms a roof or ceiling.

overhang (n.) – A part of a rock formation that projects outward over the space below.

🚫 Antonyms

floor (n.) – The bottom surface of a cave or room.

Meaning 3：top of a vehicle (roof)

roof 🔊

/ruːf/

The top outer part of a vehicle, like a car or bus.

top of a vehicle 🔊

➕

/tɒp əv ə ˈviːhɪkəl/

The uppermost external part of a car, bus, or other vehicle.

📁 Category：Transportation & Travel 🔖 Level：Beginner

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

We strapped our surfboards securely to the roof rack of the car before driving to the beach. 🔊 We strapped our surfboards securely to the roof rack of the car before driving to the beach.

🔗 Collocations

car roof – The top exterior surface of an automobile.

roof rack – A frame attached to the roof of a vehicle for carrying luggage or equipment.

sunroof – A panel in the roof of a car that can be opened to let in light or air.

🔄 Synonyms

top (n.) – The highest part of a vehicle.

canopy (n.) – A covering over the top of a vehicle (e.g., a convertible's retractable roof).

hood (n.) – (In some contexts) the cover over the engine compartment of a car; not a direct synonym but related.

🚫 Antonyms

undercarriage (n.) – The bottom structure of a vehicle, including the chassis and suspension.

floor (n.) – The interior bottom surface of a vehicle.

🌱 Derivatives

roofless (adj.) – Having no roof, like a convertible car.

roofed (adj.) – Equipped with a roof.