toplofty

[ top-lawf-tee, -lof- ]

adjective

1. condescending; haughty.

toplofty

/ ˈtɒpˌlɒftɪ /

adjective

1. informal.
   haughty or pretentious

Derived Forms

• ˈtopˌloftiness, noun
• ˈtopˌloftily, adverb

Other Words From

• toplofti·ly adverb
• toplofti·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of toplofty¹

First recorded in 1820–30; back formation of earlier toploftical, extracted from top loft “the uppermost story, topmost gallery”; top ¹, lofty

Example Sentences

On the evening of the theater party, Mrs. Toplofty herself stands in the lobby to receive the guests.

From Project Gutenberg

Her grandmother, who was a Toplofty, made all her grandchildren walk daily across a polished floor with sand-bags on their heads.

From Project Gutenberg

But all their gay upper works, so toplofty and frail, showed a gleaming white front to the western sun.

From Project Gutenberg

Mrs. Toplofty asked you to dinner to-night and I accepted for you—hope that was all right.

From Project Gutenberg

No one, however, has discovered that invitations to Mrs. Toplofty's are any less welcome.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• aloof
• arrogant
• averse
• contemptuous
• derisive
• haughty
• unsympathetic