Someone who is aloof is not very friendly and does not like to spend time with other people.
[disapproval]
He seemed aloof and detached.
Synonyms: distant, cold, reserved, cool More Synonyms of aloof
aloofnessuncountable noun
He had an air of aloofness about him.
2. adjective
If someone stays alooffrom something, they do not become involved with it.
[formal]
The Government is keeping aloof from the controversy. [+ from]
I will hold myself aloof from wrong and corruption.
aloof in British English
(əˈluːf)
adjective
distant, unsympathetic, or supercilious in manner, attitude, or feeling
Derived forms
aloofly (aˈloofly)
adverb
aloofness (aˈloofness)
noun
Word origin
C16: from a-1 + loof, a variant of luff
aloof in American English
(əˈluf)
adverb
1.
at a distance but in view; apart
adjective
2.
at a distance; removed
3.
distant in sympathy, interest, etc.; reserved and cool
her manner was aloof
Derived forms
aloofly (aˈloofly)
adverb
aloofness (aˈloofness)
noun
Word origin
a-, a-1 + loof < Du loef, luff
Examples of 'aloof' in a sentence
aloof
At the moment refs are made to look arrogant or aloof through no fault of their own.
The Sun (2016)
Stay aloof, stay pure.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
But it also stemmed from his aloof and dogmatic attitude.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Previous incoming presidents have chosen to remain aloof in similar circumstances.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
He just protects himself by being aloof and distant.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
As a junior minister he was sometimes arrogant and aloof.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
No one remains aloof from the conversation.
Christianity Today (2000)
Britain remained formally aloof from both blocs.
French, David The British way in Warfare - 1688-2000 (1990)
He was rather aloof - and one admired him for it.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
Now she can tell us: why did she stay so aloof?
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
There's a perceived elitism and something aloof about him.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
She was in her own world too, utterly distant and aloof.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
There will be those who say central bankers should make investors pay for their stupidity and remain aloof during periods of extreme turbulence.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
Reduced to teaching dance in a holiday camp, they remained aloof from the other staff.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
At the beginning of the war America remained resolutely aloof.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
I knew he had a reputation for being arrogant and aloof.
The Sun (2013)
Surveys shouldn't be taken too seriously but cities can be lonely places where you find yourself staying aloof.
The Sun (2013)
This is a timely riposte to critics who tried to pour scorn on her as smug, arrogant and aloof.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
For a man seen in some quarters as arrogant and aloof, the subject matter on the tour is bold and courageous.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
Rather than appearing aloof, the Drums were engagingly enthusiastic.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
Only one particular family, who joined midway through the cruise, stayed aloof.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
He is aloof, distant, perhaps slightly wary.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
The intention was to convince City's players that they were now part of a winning machine but the complaints about his aloof manner have been frequent.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
In other languages
aloof
British English: aloof ADJECTIVE
Someone who is aloof is not very friendly and does not like to spend time with other people.
He seemed aloof and detached.
American English: aloof
Brazilian Portuguese: distante
Chinese: 冷淡的
European Spanish: distante
French: distant
German: unnahbar
Italian: distaccato
Japanese: よそよそしい
Korean: 냉담한
European Portuguese: distante
Latin American Spanish: distante
Chinese translation of 'aloof'
aloof
(əˈluːf)
adj
(= distant) 冷淡的 (lěngdàn de)
to stay or keep aloof from sth远(遠)离(離)某事 (yuǎnlí mǒushì)
(adjective)
Definition
distant or haughty in manner
He seemed aloof and detached.
Synonyms
distant
He's direct and courteous, but distant.
cold
He became cold and unfeeling.
reserved
He was unemotional and reserved.
cool
People found her too cool, aloof and arrogant.
formal
He wrote a very formal letter of apology.
remote
She looked so remote.
forbidding
detached
The piece is written in a detached, precise style.
indifferent
People have become indifferent to the suffering of others.
chilly
I was slightly afraid of his chilly, distant politeness.
unfriendly
She spoke in a loud, rather unfriendly voice.
unsympathetic
an unsympathetic doctor
uninterested
unhelpful and uninterested shop staff
haughty
unresponsive
supercilious
unapproachable
I think a lot of people find dentists very unapproachable.
unsociable
I am by no means an unsociable person.
standoffish
Opposites
open
,
warm
,
friendly
,
neighbourly
,
sympathetic
,
sociable
,
gregarious
Additional synonyms
in the sense of chilly
Definition
without warmth
I was slightly afraid of his chilly, distant politeness.