loft

[ lawft, loft ]

/ lɔft, lɒft /

Save This Word!

See synonyms for: loft / lofted / lofting on Thesaurus.com

noun

a room, storage area, or the like within a sloping roof; attic; garret.

a gallery or upper level in a church, hall, etc., designed for a special purpose: a choir loft.

a hayloft.

an upper story of a business building, warehouse, or factory, typically consisting of open, unpartitioned floor area.

such an upper story converted or adapted to any of various uses, as quarters for living, studios for artists or dancers, exhibition galleries, or theater space.

Also called loft bed . a balcony or platform built over a living area and used especially for sleeping.

Chiefly Midland and Southern U.S. an attic.

Golf.

the slope of the face of the head of a club backward from the vertical, tending to drive the ball upward.
the act of lofting.
a lofting stroke.

the resiliency of fabric or yarn, especially wool.

the thickness of a fabric or of insulation used in a garment, as a down-filled jacket.

verb (used with object)

to hit or throw aloft: He lofted a fly ball into center field.

Golf.

to slant the face of (a club).
to hit (a golf ball) into the air or over an obstacle.
to clear (an obstacle) in this manner.

to store in a loft.

Shipbuilding. to form or describe (the lines of a hull) at full size, as in a mold loft; lay off.

Archaic. to provide (a house, barn, etc.) with a loft.

verb (used without object)

to hit or throw something aloft, especially a ball.

to go high into the air when hit, as a ball.

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of loft

before 1000; Middle English lofte (noun), late Old English loft<Old Norse lopt upper chamber or region, the air, sky. See lift

OTHER WORDS FROM loft

loftless, adjectiveun·der·loft, nounwell-lofted, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use loft in a sentence

The bedroom is separated from the main living area by, fittingly, sliding barn doors, and the loft comes stocked with Grand Canyon guidebooks to help steer you toward the right hike.
11 Amazing Airbnbs Near the Grand Canyon|Megan Michelson|February 15, 2021|Outside Online
The tiny, 400-square-foot wood-paneled accommodations have a queen bed, plus a sleeping loft.
10 Airbnbs Near Zion and Bryce Canyon|Megan Michelson|January 31, 2021|Outside Online
You’ll have your own garden entrance, a queen bed, and a loft that sleeps up to three comfortably.
10 Airbnbs Near Zion and Bryce Canyon|Megan Michelson|January 31, 2021|Outside Online
Side sleepers should look for a tall pillow with a high loft and firm support.
The best pillow: Sleep better in any position|Carsen Joenk|December 11, 2020|Popular-Science

He lofted the head in his left hand, looking up at the still-open dead eyes.
Shaman|Robert Shea
As a matter of fact it had been lofted high into the air and both I and the caddie had seen it with the most perfect distinctness.
Fifty Years of Golf|Horace G. Hutchinson
This is particularly the case with high lofted approach shots.
The Soul of Golf|Percy Adolphus Vaile
The strength of long putts can generally be more accurately regulated with a lofted putter than with a straight-faced one.
The Soul of Golf|Percy Adolphus Vaile
Of the niblick it need only be said that it must be strong, heavy, and well lofted.
The Complete Golfer [1905]|Harry Vardon

British Dictionary definitions for loft

loft

/ (lɒft) /

noun

the space inside a roof

a gallery, esp one for the choir in a church

a room over a stable used to store hay

an upper storey of a warehouse or factory, esp when converted into living space

a raised house or coop in which pigeons are kept

sport

(in golf) the angle from the vertical made by the club face to give elevation to a ball
elevation imparted to a ball
a lofting stroke or shot

verb (tr)

sport to strike or kick (a ball) high in the air

to store or place in a loft

to lay out a full-scale working drawing of (the lines of a vessel's hull)

Word Origin for loft

Late Old English, from Old Norse lopt air, ceiling; compare Old Danish and Old High German loft (German Luft air)

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

loft

Origin of loft

OTHER WORDS FROM loft

Words related to loft

How to use loft in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for loft

Word Origin for loft