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

In the first quarter, Nvidia’s sales rose 262% annually to $26 billion, outperforming Wall Street’s already lofty expectations. —Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 7 June 2024

In a call with media Thursday to promote new electric truck sales data, the governor cast the fossil fuel industry as a barrier to progress in meeting the state’s lofty climate goals to help stave off the worst effects of warming. —Ari Plachta, Sacramento Bee, 7 June 2024

If this sounds like some lofty lore-snore, well, have faith. —Christopher Smith, Orange County Register, 30 Apr. 2024

Archbishop Curley Coach: Chris Ogle Last season: 12-8, not ranked Postseason: MIAA B Conference champion Outlook: With a talented group bringing back championship experience, the Friars are poised to maintain their lofty status atop the MIAA B Conference standings. —Glenn Graham, Baltimore Sun, 19 Mar. 2024

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