ceiling
English meaning: Ceiling
Definition
The upper inside surface of a room, opposite the floor.
Example
“They painted the ceiling white to make the small bedroom feel brighter and larger.”
Another example: “The government set a ceiling on how much rent could be charged.”
Usage — When, Where & How
An everyday noun for the overhead surface of a room. Also widely figurative for an upper limit ('a price ceiling', 'hit the ceiling' meaning to lose one's temper, 'glass ceiling').
Etymology & Origin
English — Origin & History
From Middle English 'celing', from 'ceil', via Old French from Latin 'caelum'.
Related Words
Common Collocations
- high ceiling
- glass ceiling
- hit the ceiling
- price ceiling
- vaulted ceiling
Word Forms
ceiling (n); ceilings (pl)
Word Tools
Literary Heritage
“To thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man.”
/To thine own self be true/
“Be honest with yourself — and as naturally as night follows day, you will be unable to be false to others.”
“I'm nobody! Who are you? Are you nobody, too?”
/I'm nobody! Who are you?/
“I am nobody — and that quiet anonymity is more honest than the noise of public fame.”
Images
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Language information
- Language
- English
- English
- Script
- Latin
- Family
- Indo-European
- Speakers
- 1.5B