gambrel
- noun
- /ˈɡæmbrəl/
- Specialized
- Many old barns in the countryside feature a gambrel to create extra storage space in the loft.
- gambrel roof
Examples
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The architect recommended a gambrel roof for its aesthetic appeal and practicality.
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The barn has a beautiful gambrel roof.
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Restoring the farmhouse, they decided to keep the original gambrel for its historical character.
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Many traditional barns feature gambrels.
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The quaint barn featured a striking gambrel roof that beautifully complemented the rural landscape.
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As we drove past, I admired the historic farmhouse with its charming gambrel roof design.
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In the village, many barns are designed with a gambrel roof, making them easily recognizable.
Synonyms
A roof with two slopes on each side, the lower slope steeper
Compounds
How Steep
Surface Forms
Etymology
Gambrel comes from an old word gamba meaning 'leg' or 'bent knee', because a tool called a gambrel was shaped like a hooked or bent leg. So a gambrel roof is named for its 'bent' shape — two slopes on each side that give extra space in the loft.