aloof

1 of 2

adjective

ə-ˈlüf 

: 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.”

Synonyms

Adjective

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

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

In his 1986 work Talent, David Robbins depicted the ’80s artist as a less aloof and rarefied figure than his bohemian predecessors, with a career rather than a calling. —Natasha Degen, Artforum, 1 Nov. 2024

Her compatriots found her aloof, and some wanted to hurt her. —Stephanie Zacharek, TIME, 29 Oct. 2024

Still, there was something aloof and solitary about him, too. —Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 27 Sep. 2024

The New Yorker and the Times Magazine, GQ, Vogue, Esquire—all were run by aloof tyrants, typically described as legendary, who made every call before a small audience of tremulous editors. —Christopher Carroll, Harper's Magazine, 23 Sep. 2024

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

Kids Definition

aloof

1 of 2 adverb

ə-ˈlüf 

: at a distance : out of involvement

aloof

2 of 2 adjective

: removed or distant in interest or feeling : reserved

aloofly adverb

aloofness noun