lofty

American  

[lawf-tee, lof-] / ˈlɔf ti, ˈlɒf- /

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 British  

/ 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

---

Related Words

See high.

Other Word Forms

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

Etymology

Origin of lofty

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

Example Sentences

They climbed the steps normally occupied solely by Scots and waited in their lofty vantage points for the Grand Slam champions-to-be.

From BBC

Those lofty crude prices aren’t just a risk for inflation; they could further dampen consumer spending, one of the biggest and most consistent drivers of real GDP growth in recent quarters.

From Barron's

Between lofty investor expectations and ramping competition in the quantum industry, the road ahead is arduous.

From Barron's

The weak showing for the fund so far this year could make it harder for Ackman to achieve the lofty valuation that he is reportedly seeking for his now-private management company, Pershing Square Capital Management.

From Barron's

AI stocks are sliding from lofty levels, and as I discussed here last week, just about everything else has recently run up—value, small-caps, cyclicals, staples, and more.

From Barron's

Related Words

• exalted
• noble
• utopian