lofty

[lawf-tee, lof-]

See more synonyms for lofty on Thesaurus.com

adjective, loft·i·er, loft·i·est.

extending high in the air; of imposing height; towering: lofty mountains.
exalted in rank, dignity, or character; eminent.
elevated in style, tone, or sentiment, as writings or speech.

arrogantly or condescendingly superior in manner; haughty: to treat someone in a lofty manner.
Nautical. noting a rig of a sailing ship having extraordinarily high masts.
(of fabric or yarn) thick and resilient.

Origin of lofty

late Middle English word dating back to 1400–50; see origin at loft, -y¹

Related formsloft·i·ly, adverbloft·i·ness, nouno·ver·loft·i·ly, adverbo·ver·loft·i·ness, nouno·ver·loft·y, adjectiveun·loft·y, adjective

Synonyms for lofty

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1. elevated. See high. 3. sublime. 4. supercilious.

Antonyms for lofty

2. lowly. 4. humble.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for loftiest

capital, chief, crack, crowning, culminating, dominant, elite, excellent, fine, finest, first, first-class, first-rate, foremost, head, highest, lead, leading, maximal, maximum

Examples from the Web for loftiest

Contemporary Examples of loftiest

The loftiest noses among the winemakers inhale the finest of scents from the tasting glass and proclaim another masterpiece.
Napa’s Earthquake Is Not The Only Thing Shaking The Vineyards
Clive Irving
August 31, 2014
He was something of a dictator, though always cloaking his ambition in the loftiest of Christian terms.
The Devil and Woodrow Wilson: An Interview With Joyce Carol Oates
Jane Ciabattari
March 19, 2013

Historical Examples of loftiest

Guanahani was low; Cat Island is the loftiest of the Bahamas.
Christopher Columbus and His Monument Columbia
Various
The speech was calm but filled with the loftiest sentiments.
Personal Recollections of a Cavalryman
J. H. (James Harvey) Kidd
It was to him only a grand invention of humanity in its loftiest development.
David Elginbrod
George MacDonald
It rested on the loftiest cliffs of the island, and there they fixed their residence.
The Indian Fairy Book
Cornelius Mathews
He chose the loftiest branch of the loftiest oak in the forest.
"Wee Tim'rous Beasties"
Douglas English

British Dictionary definitions for loftiest

lofty

adjective loftier or loftiest

of majestic or imposing height
exalted or noble in character or nature
haughty or supercilious
elevated, eminent, or superior

Derived Formsloftily, adverbloftiness, noun

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

Word Origin and History for loftiest

lofty

adj.

"exalted, of high rank," early 15c.; also "with a high purpose," from loft + -y (2). From early 14c. as a surname. Literal sense of "high" is attested from 1580s. Related: Loftily; loftiness.