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
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
Sometimes Joseph can be a little stand-offish, but if he is forced to run onto the ball he has to use his instinct at pace.
From BBC ● Oct. 2, 2015
Heidt came round every day now, and was so attentive to Malvina that Cilia felt all but sure of him already for a son-in-law, and reproved her daughter severely for being so "stand-offish" with him.
From Dry Fish and Wet Tales from a Norwegian Seaport by Anthon Bernhard Elias Nilsen
