lofty

adjective

ˈlȯf-tē 

loftier; loftiest

1

a

: elevated in character and spirit : noble

lofty ideals

b

: elevated in status : superior

the less lofty customers of the bar

2

: having a haughty overbearing manner : supercilious

She showed a lofty disregard for their objections.

3

a

: rising to a great height : impressively high

lofty mountains

b

: remote, esoteric

basic precepts are not lofty abstractions far removed from matters of daily living

—D. D. Eisenhower

4

: having full-bodied, firm, and resilient textile fibers

lofty flannel

loftily

ˈlȯf-tə-lē 

adverb

loftiness

ˈlȯf-tē-nəs 

noun

Synonyms

• altitudinous
• high
• tall
• towering

Choose the Right Synonym for lofty

high, tall, lofty mean above the average in height.

high implies marked extension upward and is applied chiefly to things which rise from a base or foundation or are placed at a conspicuous height above a lower level.

a high hill

a high ceiling

tall applies to what grows or rises high by comparison with others of its kind and usually implies relative narrowness.

a tall thin man

lofty suggests great or imposing altitude.

lofty mountain peaks

Examples of lofty in a Sentence

He set lofty goals for himself as a teacher.

She showed a lofty disregard for their objections.

Recent Examples on the Web

Everton’s pursuit of Barry is complicated by his participation at the Under-21 European Championship with France, plus a lofty release clause set at €40m. —Patrick Boyland, New York Times, 21 June 2025

His Leo makes little effort to fit in, and he’s resented all the more for his lofty detachment. —Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 20 June 2025

The Weeknd, 17 (20 of 117) George Michael again takes top honors, with a lofty 79% of the late singer-songwriter’s Hot 100 hits having reached the top 10. —Gary Trust, Billboard, 20 June 2025

Faster Path Not Easiest These are lofty and complex goals, considering the spending bill is still languishing in Congress and is a time sensitive priority. —Cleve Mesidor, Forbes.com, 19 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

lofty

adjective

ˈlȯf-tē 

loftier; loftiest

1

: proud sense 1a, haughty

a lofty manner

2

a

: of high, noble, or excellent quality

lofty ideals

b

: of high rank : superior

3

: rising to a great height

lofty redwood trees

loftily

-tə-lē 

adverb

loftiness

-tē-nəs 

noun