aloof
Americanadverb
adjective
adjective
Other Word Forms
- aloofly adverb
- aloofness noun
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.
The interview painted a picture of an entitled royal who was aloof and arrogant.
From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 31, 2025
During that time, her role evolved from one-on-one advocate to legislative reformer, from shielding individual survivors from an aloof and demoralizing system to changing that system itself.
From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 10, 2025
These apps are designed to keep us aloof, always wondering if the perfect person could be one more right-swipe away.
From Salon • Jul. 25, 2025
Never a natural politician, he was seen as aloof and austere.
From BBC • Jul. 13, 2025
But I was determined to remain aloof until I knew his feelings for me.
From "Ophelia" by Lisa Klein
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.
