aloof

¹aloof

adverb \ə-ˈlüf\

Definition of ALOOF

: at a distance

Origin of ALOOF

obsolete aloof to windward, from ¹a- + louf, luf luff

First Known Use: 1523

Rhymes with ALOOF

behoof, bombproof, childproof, crushproof, disproof, fireproof, flameproof, foolproof, forehoof, germproof, greaseproof, heatproof, hip roof, leakproof, lightproof, moonroof, mothproof, pickproof, rainproof, reproof, rustproof, shadoof, shellproof, shockproof, skidproof, soundproof, stainproof, sunroof, Tartuffe, unroof, windproof, witloof

²aloof

adjective \ə-ˈlüf\

Definition of ALOOF

: removed or distant either physically or emotionally <he stood aloof from worldly success — John Buchan>

— aloof·ly adverb

— aloof·ness noun

Examples of ALOOF

1. They tried to keep aloof from the politics of the day.
2. <the new kid was really not so aloof as we thought him at first, just painfully shy>
3. 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
4. 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
5. 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
6. 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

Origin of ALOOF

(see ¹aloof)

First Known Use: 1608

Related to ALOOF

Synonyms

cool, antisocial, asocial, buttoned-up, cold, cold-eyed, detached, distant, dry, frosty, offish, remote, standoff, standoffish, unbending, unclubbable, unsociable

Antonyms

cordial, friendly, sociable, social, warm

Related Words

indrawn, introverted, nongregarious, recessive, reclusive, reserved, unsocial, withdrawn; misanthropic; apathetic, hard, indifferent, unconcerned; clinical, dispassionate, impersonal, professional; disinterested, incurious, uninterested; reticent, silent, taciturn, uncommunicative; diffident, shy, timid; cliquey, cliquish, clubbish

Near Antonyms

boon, clubbable (also clubable), clubby, companionable, convivial, extroverted (also extraverted), gregarious, outgoing; communicative, expansive, garrulous, talkative; affable, folksy, genial, gracious, hospitable; agreeable, amiable, congenial, kindly, neighborly

See Synonym Discussion at indifferent