lofty

[lawf-tee, lof-]

adjective

loftier, loftiest 

1. extending high in the air; of imposing height; towering.

   lofty mountains.

   Synonyms: elevated

2. exalted in rank, dignity, or character; eminent.

   Antonyms: lowly

3. elevated in style, tone, or sentiment, as writings or speech.

   Synonyms: sublime

4. arrogantly or condescendingly superior in manner; haughty.

   to treat someone in a lofty manner.

   Synonyms: supercilious
   Antonyms: humble

5. Nautical.,  noting a rig of a sailing ship having extraordinarily high masts.

6. (of fabric or yarn) thick and resilient.

lofty

/ ˈlɒftɪ /

adjective

1. of majestic or imposing height

2. exalted or noble in character or nature

3. haughty or supercilious

4. elevated, eminent, or superior

Other Word Forms

• loftily adverb
• loftiness noun
• overloftiness noun
• overlofty adjective
• unlofty adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of lofty¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English loft, -y ¹

Synonym Study

See high.

Example Sentences

This season he has 17 touchdowns, six interceptions, and a lofty passer rating of 116.5.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Stock futures were falling on Friday, as investors carried on fretting about lofty tech valuations.

Read more on Barron's

If he fixes the Rockies, he will have achieved something loftier than the Rocky Mountains themselves—and become the envy of his peers forever.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

While Musk has made characteristically lofty claims, experts have remained cautious about his firm's accomplishments.

Read more on Barron's

While concerns about lofty tech valuations didn’t melt away with Monday’s optimism over the government’s looming reopening, the tech selloff made popular AI plays a bit less expensive.

Read more on MarketWatch

Related Words

• exalted 
• noble 
• utopian