aloft

American  

[uh-lawft, uh-loft] / əˈlɔft, əˈlɒft /

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.

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preposition

1. on or at the top of.

   flags flying aloft the castle.

aloft British  

/ əˈlɒft /

adverb

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

2. nautical in or into the rigging of a vessel

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Etymology

Origin of aloft

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

Explanation

Something up in the air or really high is aloft. Aloft has a soft, floaty sound to it, and it's a great word for talking about flying birds, airborne ballet dancers, and soaring spitballs. Things that are above or overhead are aloft, and they can be flying free or lifted up. Frisbees are aloft when they cut through the air, and your hands are aloft when you hold them high to catch a Frisbee. Some things are stationary, or set in place, and aloft, like tree houses and birds' nests. You might feel suspended in time as you catch air on your bike, aloft over the ground — until you hit pavement reality three seconds later.

Example Sentences

“Wealthy Americans have been credited with keeping consumer spending aloft over the past few years as general uncertainty spread,” said Elizabeth Renter, senior economist at NerdWallet.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 27, 2026

Unlike the soft, pliable versions of the Christ child in his early Madonnas, this is a monumental, muscular putto, using his strength to hold that garland aloft.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 24, 2026

A bit of tinkering – stripping the original’s heavy bassline, tossing in his lithe falsetto and a playful guitar to hold everything aloft – made the one-time throwaway into something immortal.

From Salon • Feb. 14, 2026

Fans chanted against the owners and held aloft banners as flares filled the air on Sir Matt Busby Way.

From Barron's • Feb. 1, 2026

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

From "The Long-Lost Home" by Maryrose Wood