Master confusing words with ease
Ceiling vs. Roof
Ceiling
/ˈsiːlɪŋ/Examples:
A single two-arm gas-pipe descended from the center of the ceiling.Do you see that hole in the ceiling?The room was all mirrors – walls, floor, ceiling.
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
Roof
/ruːf/Examples:
The houses with tiled roofs had had their tiles stripped off.Drying her eyes, Lenina walked across the roof to the lift.The roof leaks.
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
Ways to tell them apart:
- The ceiling is an interior feature, while the roof is on the exterior of a building.
- When you're inside, you look up to see the ceiling; the roof is above that.
- Roofs protect a building from weather, but ceilings are more about aesthetics and insulation.
- Remember that roofs are external, dealing with rain and snow, ceilings are internal, often featuring lights and fans.
- Think of the ceiling as the floor above your head, while the roof is a protective hat for the building.
© 2025 Lithium Lab Pte Ltd