standoffish
adjective
somewhat aloof or reserved; cold and unfriendly.
stand-offish
-
a variation of
standoffish.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Wilbusch’s Avraham, or Avi to his colleagues, is a lone-wolf of a detective — brilliant but a bit stand-offish and sometimes too blunt.
From Seattle Times ● Nov. 10, 2022
The off-the-cuff banter made Madonna, who's often been perceived as imperious and stand-offish, seem refreshingly accessible.
From BBC ● Jan. 29, 2020
Seems a little stand-offish at first, but I expect he’ll warm up.
From Slate ● Dec. 30, 2019
Reviewing the film for The Times, Kenneth Turan wrote, “ ‘Destroyer’ is simultaneously impressive and stand-offish.
From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 30, 2018
They had a certain stand-offish superbness, and not a single trace of misgiving.
From Sea and Sardinia by D. H. (David Herbert) Lawrence
