definitions

lofty

[ lawf-tee, lof- ]
/ ˈlɔf ti, ˈlɒf- /
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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.

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RELATED WORDS

towering, soaring, exalted, noble, utopian, grandiose, high-minded, ambitious, aerial, airy, raised, tall, sky-high, high-rise, lifted, skyscraping, skyward, spiring, benevolent, big

Nearby words

loft building, lofting, lofting iron, lofting, hugh, loftsman, lofty, log, log book, log chip, log in, log jam

Origin of lofty

late Middle English word dating back to 1400–50; see origin at loft, -y1
SYNONYMS FOR lofty
1 elevated. See high.
3 sublime.
4 supercilious.
SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR lofty ON THESAURUS.COM
Related forms
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for lofty

British Dictionary definitions for lofty

lofty

/ (ˈlɒftɪ) /

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 lofty

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.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper