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

The walls of the lofty space are wrapped in a Mondrian-like fabric that pays homage to the preeminent Dutch artist, while illuminated concrete lip sculptures on the walls make explicit reference to the French eatery’s name, which means kisses. —Charlotte Collins, Architectural Digest, 17 Dec. 2024

The cult pastries of 2024 go way beyond plain croissants and lofty blueberry muffins. —Emily Wilson, Bon Appétit, 16 Dec. 2024

As the premier starting pitcher on the domestic free agent market, Corbin Burnes has a short list of suitors in the running to meet his lofty salary goals. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 16 Dec. 2024

Isle Royale, Michigan Isle Royale strips nature down to its raw essentials on hiking trails through lofty forests and endless vistas of water. —Alexandra Gillespie, Outside Online, 16 Dec. 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