aloof
Americanadverb
adjective
adjective
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of aloof
Explanation
Someone who's aloof isn't warm and friendly, instead being distant and reserved. That emotionally cold and detached fellow who keeps to himself, drinking espresso and reading French philosophy, would best be described as aloof. In Middle English, aloof was originally a nautical term; the loof (now spelled luff) is the windward side of a ship. Smart sailors wanting to avoid a hazard on the leeward side would give the order, "A loof!" From this command we get the idea of steering clear of something (or someone). In modern usage the word has taken on a negative connotation: an aloof person is often considered cold or snobby.
Vocabulary lists containing aloof
100 SAT Words Beginning with "A"
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Essential Academic Vocabulary for High School Students, List 2
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Animal Farm
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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.
Aloof at the best of times, Tom walled himself off from his wife and their problems.
From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 26, 2025
And while the video of Henri the Aloof French Cat Having an Existential Crisis is very funny, I feel like if you like cat videos, you’ve probably already seen it?
From Seattle Times • Feb. 12, 2020
Aloof yet rarely alone, Oppenheimer seems weighed down by the burden of always being the smartest guy in the room.
From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 8, 2018
Love’s not love When it is mingled with regards that stand Aloof from th’ entire point.
From Washington Post • Jul. 4, 2018
Aloof and bristling, he lurked around the edges of Torrance, his only friendships forged loosely with rough boys who followed his lead.
From "Unbroken" by Laura Hillenbrand
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.
