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

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.

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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.

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

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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.

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

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Related Words

• remoteness www.thesaurus.com