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

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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.

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

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If artificial intelligence is going to meet the lofty ambitions many on Wall Street are spinning up, they’ll need a lot of electricity.

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This keeps the price rising, even as critics sound the alarm about Palantir’s lofty valuation.

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Related Words

• exalted 
• noble 
• utopian