soffit
Americannoun
noun
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the underside of a part of a building or a structural component, such as an arch, beam, stair, etc
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Also called: crown. vertex. the upper inner surface of a drain or sewer Compare invert
Etymology
Origin of soffit
1605–15; < French soffite < Italian soffitto < Vulgar Latin *suffīctus, for Latin suffīxus; see suffix
Explanation
A soffit is the underside of a part on a building, like a protective covering under the eaves of a house, or the surface of an arch as seen from below. The word soffit traces back to the Latin word suffixus, meaning “fastened below.” So when your dad asks you to help replace the soffit, you know you’ll be dealing with the underside of some part of a building. The most common type of soffit is the one you’ll see on the underside of the eaves, running from the outside wall to the outer edge of the roof.
Vocabulary lists containing soffit
The Road
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Cormac McCarthy's "The Road"
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Architecture 101
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Hurricanes: One of Chapman-Henderson’s favorite tips is to caulk and brace roof ventilation soffit vents to reduce the amount of water blown into your attic during hurricane-force winds and rain.
From Washington Post ● Jan. 3, 2022
Why is this soffit tucked into the southeast corner of an eave?
From New York Times ● Jul. 1, 2020
He found deteriorating paint, rotting soffit and fascia, a hole in the roof.
From Washington Times ● Feb. 22, 2020
“A light glow will project from the building facade while the soffit underneath the building canopy will include a lighting feature that emulates a ‘starry night,’ ” a design slideshow reads.
From Seattle Times ● Aug. 16, 2016
The hard, ringing noise from under the soffit, so much unlike any sound to be heard in an earth tunnel, was disturbing.
From "Watership Down: A Novel" by Richard Adams
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
