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

Despite some lofty promises from Chrissy and people’s overall wariness of Mitch and his story, the opportunity to eliminate Sai was just too tempting. —Nick Caruso, TVLine, 10 Apr. 2025

Lavery said lofty prices for green coffee bean futures have remained an overhang for the company. —Alex Harring, CNBC, 9 Apr. 2025

Back then – eight years ago – lofty expectations didn’t exist. —Shane Young, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025

The Todd Snyder x Bon Iver Sweater Hoodie – $398 – crafted from Snyder’s signature Nomad yarn — a recycled Italian cashmere that offers a plush, lofty feel and the perfect weight for year-round wear. —Jem Aswad, Variety, 9 Apr. 2025

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