aloof

1 of 2

adjective

: 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.”

Choose the Right Synonym for aloof

indifferent, unconcerned, incurious, aloof, detached, disinterested mean not showing or feeling interest.

indifferent implies neutrality of attitude from lack of inclination, preference, or prejudice.

indifferent to the dictates of fashion

unconcerned suggests a lack of sensitivity or regard for others' needs or troubles.

unconcerned about the homeless

incurious implies an inability to take a normal interest due to dullness of mind or to self-centeredness.

incurious about the world

aloof suggests a cool reserve arising from a sense of superiority or disdain for inferiors or from shyness.

aloof from his coworkers

detached implies an objective attitude achieved through absence of prejudice or selfishness.

observed family gatherings with detached amusement

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

Examples of aloof in a Sentence

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
Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
The series reunited him with O’Hara as Johnny’s eccentric actress wife, Moira, alongside Daniel as their sarcastic yet sensible son, David, and Annie Murphy as their aloof but lovable daughter, Alexis. Hunter Ingram, Variety, 8 Mar. 2024 Robert kept mostly aloof from politics, but Frank dived in. Kc Cole, Smithsonian Magazine, 8 Mar. 2024 Ernestine, who was of Creole descent, was flinty and aloof, with an immaculate sense of style. Ronan Farrow, The New Yorker, 1 Mar. 2024 As such, a dog that's subservient, loyal and playful is a much better housemate than an aloof, temperamental wolf. Max Bennett, Discover Magazine, 7 Feb. 2024 After breaking her right pinky finger in a preseason scrimmage and missing the Sharks’ first 12 games, Kane could have been aloof, getting her rehab work done in silence. Walter Villa, Miami Herald, 26 Feb. 2024 For this, essentially, is what such a monogamous bond demands, an isolated union requiring the services of others whilst remaining estranged and aloof from physical or emotional attachment. Nicholas Bell, SPIN, 14 Feb. 2024 Instead of a benefactor, the EU is now seen as the enemy for many, aloof in an ivory tower imposing bureaucratic rules on small-time farmers, while leaders are seen happily relaxing import restrictions for global farming powerhouses or the likes of wartime Ukraine. Raf Casert, The Christian Science Monitor, 1 Feb. 2024 Much of Crumbley's testimony involved her defense's trying to knock down evidence that the prosecution had presented earlier in its strategy to portray her as aloof to her son's needs. Selina Guevara, NBC News, 1 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'aloof.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of aloof was in 1523

Dictionary Entries Near aloof

Cite this Entry

“Aloof.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/aloof. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

aloof

1 of 2 adverb
: at a distance : out of involvement

aloof

2 of 2 adjective
: removed or distant in interest or feeling : reserved
aloofly adverb
aloofness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on aloof

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