DictionaryAI

aloof

USuh-LOOF/əˈluːf/

4 meanings of aloof

Practice

  1. 1
    emotionally distantadjective
    Keeping a distance from other people and not showing much warmth or feeling.

    The new girl seemed aloof at first, but she was only shy.

    My cat is aloof and only comes to me when she is hungry.

    UsageAloof people seem cold; shy people are nervous.

    Similarreserved, remote

    Oppositefriendly, warm, approachable, sociable

    Note
  2. 2
    adverb
    Away from others, at a short distance or where you can still see them.

    The old farmhouse stood aloof from the other houses on the hill.

    The guard kept aloof, a few steps behind the king.

    UsageSay stand aloof from the others.

    Similarapart, away

    Note
  3. 3
    adverb
    In a cold way that shows no kindness or approval.
    But to open the Bible in this spirit — to take the Book as from the hand of God, and then to look at it aloof, and with caution, as if throughout it were illusory and enigmatical, is the worst of all impieties.
    1832, Isaac Taylor, Saturday eveningHere, aloof means in an unfriendly, doubting way, without sympathy.
    Note

Less common meaning

  1. 4
    clear ofprepositionobsolete
    Used before a noun to mean away from it and out of its way.
    Note

Practice

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Origin

It was first a sailor's order to keep the ship pointed into the wind, away from the shore. From this came the meaning "at a distance".

Checked 31 Oct 2026 · 3 facts

  • Aloof originally served as a sailor's command to keep the ship heading toward the wind. gutenberg.org
  • The manoeuvre helped keep the ship away from a shore toward which the wind could drive it. en.wikipedia.org
  • The meaning at a distance developed from the nautical meaning. en.wiktionary.org