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

Considering his lofty standing in recent English cricketing history, Vaughan played relatively few Ashes Tests - 10 of them, five away and five at home.

Read more on BBC

The enormous rooms feature plush textures, pops of gold, and lofty ceilings—even a 27-foot dome in the entryway.

Read more on MarketWatch

The Big Money bears see trouble brewing in gold’s advance and stocks’ lofty valuations.

Read more on Barron's

Given that indexes are at record highs, investors do have lofty expectations, which has slightly muted any overly exuberant reactions—hence the S&P’s flat performance on the day.

Read more on Barron's

Less an ingenuous revelation of lofty self-insulation from such voters, then.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• exalted 
• noble 
• utopian