Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular presenttense, plural lofts, present participle lofting, past tense, past participle lofted
1. countable noun
A loft is the space inside the sloping roof of a house or other building, where things are sometimes stored.
We would like to convert the loft into another bedroom.
A loft conversion can add considerably to the value of a house.
2. countable noun
A loft is an apartment in the upper part of a building, especially a building such as a warehouse or factory that has been converted for people to live in. Lofts are usually large and not divided into separate rooms.
3. verb
When someone such as a golfer or a football or baseball player lofts a ball, they hit it or send it high into the air.
From the kick-off he lofted the ball 60 yards into the top corner of the net. [VERB noun]
loft in British English
(lɒft)
noun
1.
the space inside a roof
2.
a gallery, esp one for the choir in a church
3.
a room over a stable used to store hay
4.
an upper storey of a warehouse or factory, esp when converted into living space
5.
a raised house or coop in which pigeons are kept
6. sport
a.
(in golf) the angle from the vertical made by the club face to give elevation to a ball
b.
elevation imparted to a ball
c.
a lofting stroke or shot
verb(transitive)
7. sport
to strike or kick (a ball) high in the air
8.
to store or place in a loft
9.
to lay out a full-scale working drawing of (the lines of a vessel's hull)
Word origin
Late Old English, from Old Norse lopt air, ceiling; compare Old Danish and Old High German loft (German Luft air)
loft in American English
(lɔft; lɑft)
noun
1.
a.
an attic or atticlike space, usually not partitioned off into rooms, immediately below the roof of a house, barn, etc.
b. US
any of the upper stories of a warehouse or factory; now often, specif., a dwelling space, artist's studio, etc. on an upper story of a converted warehouse or factory
2.
a gallery
the choir loft in a church
3.
a.
the slope given to the face of a golf club to aid in knocking the ball in a high curve
b.
the height attained by hitting or throwing a ball in a high curve
verb transitive
4.
to store in a loft
5.
a.
to hit or throw (a golf ball, baseball, etc.) into the air in a high curve
b.
to throw (a bowling ball) so that it strikes the alley sharply some distance past the foul line
verb intransitive
6.
to loft a ball
Derived forms
lofter (ˈlofter)
noun
Word origin
ME lofte < Late OE loft < ON lopt, upper room, air, sky (akin to OE lyft, air, sky) < IE base *leup-, *leubh-, to peel off > leaf
Examples of 'loft' in a sentence
loft
We did it up slowly, including converting the loft.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
If your converted loft lacks insulation, try blowing cellulose between the rafters.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The property also has a loft space, a cellar, storage space and two patio gardens.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The loft is converted into a third bedroom and there are wooden floors and double glazing throughout.
The Sun (2013)
Loft apartments are being done up all over town.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
This former tram shed is now a dynamic loft space.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
We once had rats in the loft in my house.
The Sun (2013)
They played with dogs and cats in the hay loft.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
This can give more space for an office or an extra bedroom in the loft space.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Promised upgrades include quantities for decking and loft insulation.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
And then there is the lofted crossfield kick into the waiting arms of the wingers.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
The loft has been converted into a games room and a cinema room.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
Industrial loft apartments are ideal for singletons.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
It spread to the shared loft space in the other homes and took six hours to extinguish.
The Sun (2009)
Our hay loft has no hay in it.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
The master bedroom occupying the loft has stunning views over the surrounding countryside.
The Sun (2014)
Many properties will have loft insulation and only some will need cavity insulation.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Costs incurred converting your loft will not be allowed directly against your profits because this will count as capital spending.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Use a lofted club, but open the face slightly.
Lewis, Beverly Winning Golf for Women (1993)
Any club with a loft of at least 25 degrees must have the new grooves.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Meanwhile the loft of the house in Bristol where he was arrested was being searched yesterday.
The Sun (2011)
The choir loft designed for fifty voices in 1950 now feels crowded when the choir exceeds forty.
Christianity Today (2000)
His first job was to build a kitchen and bathroom for the loft he lived in, as it had neither.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
Most bats are seasonal, so will not live in the loft year-round.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
Think of loft insulation and air pockets; that's the kind of thing you need to mulch dahlias.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
He would fling open the pale green shutters and head to the converted loft, with its exposed beams and far views of the sparkling Mediterranean.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
In other languages
loft
British English: loft /lɒft/ NOUN
A loft is the space inside the sloping roof of a building.
A loft conversion can add considerably to the value of a house.