aloft

1 of 2

adverb

ə-ˈlȯft 

1

: at or to a great height

measuring the winds aloft

2

: in the air

especially : in flight (as in an airplane)

meals served aloft

3

: at, on, or to the masthead or the higher rigging

went aloft to unfurl the sails

aloft

2 of 2

preposition

: on top of : above

bright signs aloft hotels

Synonyms

Adverb

• above
• over
• overhead

Examples of aloft in a Sentence

Adverb

The balloon stayed aloft for days.

the ease with which he can hold a ballerina aloft with one hand is awesome

Recent Examples on the Web

Adverb

But in mountain towns, seaside hamlets and centuries-old villages, the penthouse sits closer to earth yet no less aloft in spirit. —Spencer Elliott, Forbes.com, 12 May 2025

The boy hides aloft in the Sycamore Gap tree's branches. —Kim Hjelmgaard, USA Today, 9 May 2025

This week, after more than half a century, a bit of commemorative metal just may survive the empire that sent it aloft. —Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 7 May 2025

Additionally, cooler temperatures aloft associated with the upper-low will continue to provide severe weather potential through this evening for the main hazards of hail and strong winds. —Anna Skinner, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

Adverb

Middle English, from Old Norse ā lopt, from ā on, in + lopt air — more at on, loft

Preposition

Middle English alofte, derivative of alofte aloft entry 1

First Known Use

Adverb

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Preposition

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for aloft

• hayloft
• coughed
• croft
• doffed
• loft
• oft
• scoffed
• soft
• toft
• waft

Kids Definition

aloft

adverb or adjective

ə-ˈlȯft

1

: in the air

especially : in flight

2

: at, on, or to the higher rigging of a sailing ship