aloof

1 of 2

adjective

ə-ˈlüf

: removed or distant either physically or emotionally

an aloof, unfriendly manner

He stood aloof from worldly success.

John Buchan

aloofly adverb

aloof

2 of 2

adverb

: at a distance

trying to keep failure aloof

Did you know?

Can you be loof instead of aloof?

The English language has many words that contain a negative prefix, and for the most part these prefixes give us an easy way to parse the meaning of the prefix-less form: those who disagree fail to agree; to be unaware is to not be aware; and an amoral person is not concerned about the morality of their behavior.

But not every prefix that looks like a negative prefix is a negative prefix. While aloof is indeed formed from a prefix a- and a word loof, the prefix is not the negating one found in amoral, but is instead the prefix a- found in abed, aloud, and afire. Loof is a variant of luff, which in Middle English referred to the side of a ship that faces the wind; the earliest meaning of aloof was “to windward.” Soon after the word entered English it began to be used to mean “at a distance,” and soon after that, it took on the meaning of “physically or emotionally removed.”

Example Sentences

Adjective In truth, he isn't so much aloof as he is courtly in a formal, afternoon-tea sort of way.

Joe Klein, Time, 21 July 2003 Most American journalists who "do" politics cannot resist getting to know the Players. Walter Lippmann was typical of an earlier generation, the disinterested wise man who remained aloof, chiselling great thoughts on marble columns.

Gore Vidal, Nation, 12 June 1995 Jeremy Price (this name and a few others have been changed), a black teacher from St. Paul's, tried a few times to make small talk, but he was a Brahmin from another planet: cool, ironic, aloof.

Lorene Cary, Black Ice, 1991 Somehow, I remember the fireworks man as solitary, aloof, coveralled, perhaps sooty, staring straight ahead as he came, perhaps reflecting back on the trench-war violence he had just been a part of …

George Plimpton, Fireworks, 1984 They tried to keep aloof from the politics of the day. the new kid was really not so aloof as we thought him at first, just painfully shy See More

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

In fact, many of us see leaders as cold, aloof or emotionless.

Karina Michel Feld, Rolling Stone, 15 Aug. 2022 Conceição charts the settlers’ destabilized status in the country through the growing peril faced by a white female missionary, eventually evicted from her home by Black revolutionaries, though the film’s perspective remains aloof and impartial.

Guy Lodge, Variety, 9 Aug. 2022 Sturridge plays Dream as initially aloof and grumpy, his edges softening just a little episode by episode.

David Sims, The Atlantic, 5 Aug. 2022 Another character reunites with her uber-wealthy and aloof father, only to try to reel him in as a Pierpoint client.

Carrie Battan, The New Yorker, 1 Aug. 2022 The label may project an aloof public image, but no one in fashion is above making coin, and Quinn’s 3 million Instagram followers speak to the spending power of her platform.

Brian Moylan, Town & Country, 18 Aug. 2022 On the show, Nikki is an aloof yet charming assistant to Raven Baxter.

Olivia Zayas Ryan, refinery29.com, 3 Aug. 2022 Despite his fame, Russell refused to sign autographs and often seemed aloof to Boston fans.

Ira Kaufman, The Hollywood Reporter, 31 July 2022 Although its two electric motors (one at each axle) produce a healthy 516 horsepower, the all-wheel-drive EQS580 is an aloof machine that offers minimal engagement when driven vigorously.

Greg Fink, Car and Driver, 12 July 2022 See More

aloof

adjective

as in detached

having or showing a lack of friendliness or interest in others the new kid was really not so aloof as we thought him at first, just painfully shy

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

detached
distant
cold
standoffish
cool
reserved
withdrawn
unsociable
antisocial
timid
dry
offish
asocial
silent
remote
shy
unbending
frosty
professional
clinical
reclusive
introverted
indifferent
standoff
buttoned-up
cold-eyed
unsocial
apathetic
unconcerned
hard
dispassionate
uninterested
impersonal
disinterested
taciturn
unclubbable
misanthropic
diffident
uncommunicative
recessive
indrawn
incurious
reticent
cliquish
cliquey
nongregarious
clubbish

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

warm
social
friendly
sociable
cordial
gregarious
outgoing
extroverted
talkative
companionable
convivial
communicative
garrulous
affable
expansive
amiable
extraverted
gracious
hospitable
genial
clubby
boon
clubbable
congenial
agreeable
folksy
neighborly
kindly
clubable

Synonym Chooser

Some common synonyms of aloof are detached, disinterested, incurious, indifferent, and unconcerned. While all these words mean "not showing or feeling interest," aloof suggests a cool reserve arising from a sense of superiority or disdain for inferiors or from shyness.

aloof from his coworkers

The meanings of detached and aloof largely overlap; however, detached implies an objective attitude achieved through absence of prejudice or selfishness.

observed family gatherings with detached amusement

Although the words disinterested and aloof have much in common, disinterested implies a circumstantial freedom from concern for personal or especially financial advantage that enables one to judge or advise without bias.

judged by a panel of disinterested observers

The words incurious and aloof are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, incurious implies an inability to take a normal interest due to dullness of mind or to self-centeredness.

incurious about the world

While in some cases nearly identical to aloof, indifferent implies neutrality of attitude from lack of inclination, preference, or prejudice.

indifferent to the dictates of fashion

The synonyms unconcerned and aloof are sometimes interchangeable, but unconcerned suggests a lack of sensitivity or regard for others' needs or troubles.

unconcerned about the homeless

单词	aloof
释义	aloof 1 of 2 adjective ə-ˈlüf : removed or distant either physically or emotionally an aloof, unfriendly manner He stood aloof from worldly success. John Buchan aloofly adverb aloof 2 of 2 adverb : at a distance trying to keep failure aloof Did you know? Can you be loof instead of aloof? The English language has many words that contain a negative prefix, and for the most part these prefixes give us an easy way to parse the meaning of the prefix-less form: those who disagree fail to agree; to be unaware is to not be aware; and an amoral person is not concerned about the morality of their behavior. But not every prefix that looks like a negative prefix is a negative prefix. While aloof is indeed formed from a prefix a- and a word loof, the prefix is not the negating one found in amoral, but is instead the prefix a- found in abed, aloud, and afire. Loof is a variant of luff, which in Middle English referred to the side of a ship that faces the wind; the earliest meaning of aloof was “to windward.” Soon after the word entered English it began to be used to mean “at a distance,” and soon after that, it took on the meaning of “physically or emotionally removed.” Synonyms Adjective antisocial asocial buttoned-up cold cold-eyed cool detached distant dry frosty offish remote standoff standoffish unbending unclubbable unsociable See all Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences Adjective In truth, he isn't so much aloof as he is courtly in a formal, afternoon-tea sort of way. Joe Klein, Time, 21 July 2003 Most American journalists who "do" politics cannot resist getting to know the Players. Walter Lippmann was typical of an earlier generation, the disinterested wise man who remained aloof, chiselling great thoughts on marble columns. Gore Vidal, Nation, 12 June 1995 Jeremy Price (this name and a few others have been changed), a black teacher from St. Paul's, tried a few times to make small talk, but he was a Brahmin from another planet: cool, ironic, aloof. Lorene Cary, Black Ice, 1991 Somehow, I remember the fireworks man as solitary, aloof, coveralled, perhaps sooty, staring straight ahead as he came, perhaps reflecting back on the trench-war violence he had just been a part of … George Plimpton, Fireworks, 1984 They tried to keep aloof from the politics of the day. the new kid was really not so aloof as we thought him at first, just painfully shy See More Recent Examples on the Web Adjective In fact, many of us see leaders as cold, aloof or emotionless. Karina Michel Feld, Rolling Stone, 15 Aug. 2022 Conceição charts the settlers’ destabilized status in the country through the growing peril faced by a white female missionary, eventually evicted from her home by Black revolutionaries, though the film’s perspective remains aloof and impartial. Guy Lodge, Variety, 9 Aug. 2022 Sturridge plays Dream as initially aloof and grumpy, his edges softening just a little episode by episode. David Sims, The Atlantic, 5 Aug. 2022 Another character reunites with her uber-wealthy and aloof father, only to try to reel him in as a Pierpoint client. Carrie Battan, The New Yorker, 1 Aug. 2022 The label may project an aloof public image, but no one in fashion is above making coin, and Quinn’s 3 million Instagram followers speak to the spending power of her platform. Brian Moylan, Town & Country, 18 Aug. 2022 On the show, Nikki is an aloof yet charming assistant to Raven Baxter. Olivia Zayas Ryan, refinery29.com, 3 Aug. 2022 Despite his fame, Russell refused to sign autographs and often seemed aloof to Boston fans. Ira Kaufman, The Hollywood Reporter, 31 July 2022 Although its two electric motors (one at each axle) produce a healthy 516 horsepower, the all-wheel-drive EQS580 is an aloof machine that offers minimal engagement when driven vigorously. Greg Fink, Car and Driver, 12 July 2022 See More Word History Etymology Adjective derivative of aloof entry 2 Adverb from earlier aloof "(on a ship) to windward, toward the direction from which the wind is blowing (hence avoiding the lee shore)," from a- entry 1 + loof, variant of luff entry 1 First Known Use Adjective 1608, in the meaning defined above Adverb 1523, in the meaning defined above Kids Definition aloof 1 of 2 adverb ə-ˈlüf : at a distance stood aloof aloof 2 of 2 adjective : not friendly or outgoing aloof adjective as in detached having or showing a lack of friendliness or interest in others the new kid was really not so aloof as we thought him at first, just painfully shy Synonyms & Similar Words Relevance detached distant cold standoffish cool reserved withdrawn unsociable antisocial timid dry offish asocial silent remote shy unbending frosty professional clinical reclusive introverted indifferent standoff buttoned-up cold-eyed unsocial apathetic unconcerned hard dispassionate uninterested impersonal disinterested taciturn unclubbable misanthropic diffident uncommunicative recessive indrawn incurious reticent cliquish cliquey nongregarious clubbish Antonyms & Near Antonyms warm social friendly sociable cordial gregarious outgoing extroverted talkative companionable convivial communicative garrulous affable expansive amiable extraverted gracious hospitable genial clubby boon clubbable congenial agreeable folksy neighborly kindly clubable See More Synonym Chooser Some common synonyms of aloof are detached, disinterested, incurious, indifferent, and unconcerned. While all these words mean "not showing or feeling interest," aloof suggests a cool reserve arising from a sense of superiority or disdain for inferiors or from shyness. aloof from his coworkers The meanings of detached and aloof largely overlap; however, detached implies an objective attitude achieved through absence of prejudice or selfishness. observed family gatherings with detached amusement Although the words disinterested and aloof have much in common, disinterested implies a circumstantial freedom from concern for personal or especially financial advantage that enables one to judge or advise without bias. judged by a panel of disinterested observers The words incurious and aloof are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, incurious implies an inability to take a normal interest due to dullness of mind or to self-centeredness. incurious about the world While in some cases nearly identical to aloof, indifferent implies neutrality of attitude from lack of inclination, preference, or prejudice. indifferent to the dictates of fashion The synonyms unconcerned and aloof are sometimes interchangeable, but unconcerned suggests a lack of sensitivity or regard for others' needs or troubles. unconcerned about the homeless
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aloof

adjective

adverb

Did you know?

Synonyms

Example Sentences

Word History

Kids Definition

adverb

adjective

adjective

Synonym Chooser