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

The lofty price of medications has been a major political issue in the United States for years, with a Rand Corporation study showing Americans paid 2.5 times as much for pharmaceuticals as in France.

Read more on Barron's

Rheinmetall’s lofty valuation is also partly driven by plans that have yet to materialize.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

It’s a lofty goal, but it might not be very relevant, just like the absurd details of Kennedy’s melodramatic history.

Read more on Salon

Earlier this month, lofty valuations among megacap tech names, coupled with mounting concerns about the sustainability of the AI trade, sparked a selloff in growth names.

Read more on MarketWatch

“Announcing Medline as a customer opens a new end-market and validates SYM’s ability to support lofty growth expectations,” wrote Oppenheimer & Co analysts in a research note Tuesday.

Read more on Barron's

Related Words

• exalted 
• noble 
• utopian