What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
housetop
Example
The children climbed onto the housetop to watch the sunset. [housetop: noun]
Example
The housetop was covered in snow after the winter storm. [housetop: noun]
roof
Example
The roof of the house was damaged during the storm. [roof: noun]
Example
We need to repair the roof before the rainy season starts. [roof: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Roof is more commonly used than housetop in everyday language. Roof is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while housetop is less common and may sound outdated or poetic.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between housetop and roof?
Both housetop and roof are neutral in terms of formality and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
