standoffish
Americanadjective
adjective
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of standoffish
Explanation
Someone who's standoffish is aloof or unfriendly. When you first meet someone, she might seem standoffish when really she's just shy. A politician who appears standoffish will have more trouble getting elected than one who seems warm and likable. The adjective standoffish is a great informal word for describing people who are reserved or haughty or cold. Standoffish comes from a now obsolete meaning of the phrase stand off, "hold aloof."
Vocabulary lists containing standoffish
Life Is So Good
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
The Bad Beginning
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
Santa Monica is trying to become less standoffish to businesses in its comeback bid.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 6, 2026
Kirk is appealingly standoffish, if such a thing might be imagined.
From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 7, 2026
He also knew his status - it was one of the reasons why he could appear standoffish to those he didn't know.
From BBC ● Oct. 21, 2023
Over the course of seven years, we saw them morph from standoffish children — often bullied because of the complexion of their skin — to two young, confident leaders.
From Seattle Times ● Aug. 4, 2023
“I suppose I can be standoffish sometimes,” he admitted.
From "A Tangle of Knots" by Lisa Graff
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
