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aloofness

American  
[uh-loof-nis] / əˈluf nɪs /

noun

  1. the quality or state of being aloof, distant, or reserved; indifference.

    His girlfriend's recent aloofness may be a sign that the relationship is over.

Etymology

Origin of aloofness

aloof + -ness

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.

They won us over with their mild pomposity and aloofness, whereas Rapaport’s annoyance wreaks collateral damage like a chronically unbathed person’s odor assails bystanders.

From Salon • Jan. 15, 2026

And Calder Gardens, for all the undoubted talent and imagination it displays, sadly turns its back on its Parkway context with a self-satisfied aloofness.

From The Wall Street Journal • Sep. 24, 2025

Part of his aloofness comes from grieving his father’s death and his mother’s subsequent mental breakdown; the rest is his shame that his rock ‘n’ roll dreams have yet to become reality.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 29, 2025

Another parent said the school showed an "aloofness and detachment" when dealing with the harm done to his daughter.

From BBC • May 12, 2025

There was something that he lacked: discretion, aloofness, a sort of saving stupidity.

From "1984" by George Orwell

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.