aloof
uh-LOOF
/əˈluːf/
Not friendly or forthcoming; cool, distant, and detached from others.
Implies a posture of superiority or deliberate emotional distance from ongoing events.
The story behind the word. Originally an English nautical command borrowed from Dutch loof ('windward'). To keep a ship 'aloof' meant steering it up into the wind to keep distance from a lee shore or another ship. Eventually, it came to describe people who keep their emotional distance.
Word relationships
- detached: Focuses on neutral objectivity without necessarily feeling superior.
- haughty: Stronger emphasis on arrogant pride.
- warm: Friendly, welcoming, and emotionally open.
- approachable: Easy and inviting to talk to.
Commonly confused with
- reserved: Reserved people are quiet out of restraint or polite modesty; aloof people seem distant because they choose to hold themselves above others.
Word family
- aloofness (noun): The quality of being distant or unemotional.
Collocations
- stand aloof
- remain aloof
- aloof manner
- aloof distance
Idioms & expressions
- keep at arm's length
- hold oneself above the fray
Example sentences
- "He stood aloof from the office politics, observing the arguments without joining either side." Behavior in a crowd
- "Unlike the friendly dog, the cat remained aloof on top of the bookshelf, watching the guests calmly." Describing animal temperament
Memory hook
A-LOOF: Standing high up on the ROOF, far away from everyone on the ground. Steering away into the wind.
When not to use
Do not use for someone who wants to participate but is too nervous or shy to do so.
Fun facts
- Cats are famously described as 'aloof' in modern literature due to their independent and self-satisfied body language.
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