aloft

[uh-lawft, uh-loft]

adverb

1. high up; far above the ground.

2. Nautical.

   1. on the masts; in the rigging; overhead.

   2. (on a square-rigged sailing ship) in the upper rigging, specifically, on or above the lower yards (alow ).

3. in or into the air.

preposition

1. on or at the top of.

   flags flying aloft the castle.

aloft

/ əˈlɒft /

adverb

1. in or into a high or higher place; up above

2. nautical in or into the rigging of a vessel

Word History and Origins

Origin of aloft¹

First recorded in 1150–1200; Middle English o loft, from Old Norse ā lopt “in the air”; equivalent to a- ¹ + loft

Word History and Origins

Origin of aloft¹

C12: from Old Norse ā lopt in the air; see _lift ¹ , _loft

Example Sentences

Budget days used to be symbolised by the chancellor of the exchequer smiling and holding aloft the famous Red Box outside Number 11.

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Madame Babushkinov held the ring aloft in triumph, as the confused general and her equally confused husband stood nearby.

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Somehow, he was able to hold himself and his right foot aloft long enough for his left foot to scrape inside the end zone, which is all that’s needed in the college game.

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There was never a moment to relax, because the maximum and minimum speeds at which the U-2 could stay aloft were nearly the same.

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The image of him standing with his arms aloft on the touchline is a throwback to a different time, but there were glimmers in a convincing win that O'Neill's magic touch is already rubbing off.

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