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lofty

[lawf-tee, lof-]
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adjective, loft·i·er, loft·i·est.
  1. extending high in the air; of imposing height; towering: lofty mountains.
  2. exalted in rank, dignity, or character; eminent.
  3. elevated in style, tone, or sentiment, as writings or speech.
  4. arrogantly or condescendingly superior in manner; haughty: to treat someone in a lofty manner.
  5. Nautical. noting a rig of a sailing ship having extraordinarily high masts.
  6. (of fabric or yarn) thick and resilient.
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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

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

Antonyms

2. lowly. 4. humble.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for lofty

Contemporary Examples

Historical Examples

  • He regarded the lofty ridges and the deep gaps with apprehension.

    The Rock of Chickamauga

    Joseph A. Altsheler

  • This lofty and blase greeting can come from none other than Roland Barnette.

    The Fortune Hunter

    Louis Joseph Vance

  • Such absolute and lofty ideas they are, that they can descend to no compromise.

  • You retain your lofty calm: but inside you are little quivers of rapture.

    The Forest

    Stewart Edward White

  • In a lofty way he received the attentions of the multitudes of strange gods.

    White Fang

    Jack London

British Dictionary definitions for lofty

lofty

adjective loftier or loftiest
  1. of majestic or imposing height
  2. exalted or noble in character or nature
  3. haughty or supercilious
  4. elevated, eminent, or superior
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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

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.

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper