aloofness

[uh-loof-nis]

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.

Word History and Origins

Origin of aloofness¹

aloof + -ness

Example Sentences

Redford occupies an iconic romantic permanence — part of that is his handsome aloofness, an appeal that never quite became approachable, even as his good looks were almost scarily perfect.

From Los Angeles Times

Badly wanting this to be different from my codependent and stifling marriage, I told myself his aloofness was a good thing.

From Los Angeles Times

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

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

From BBC

The set designer Adam Rigg’s storybook framework, with rolling hills and broad-leaved plants that look like cardboard cutouts, achieves grandeur without aloofness.

From New York Times

Related Words

• remoteness www.thesaurus.com