aloof
Describing someone who is physically or emotionally distant, often appearing cool, detached, or uninterested in others. It can suggest a sense of superiority or simply a desire for privacy and independence from a situation.
Examples
3 of 5She stayed aloof from the neighborhood gossip, preferring to keep her private life to herself.
She remained detached from the local rumors, choosing to keep her personal life private.
The ambassador remained aloof during the heated debate to maintain an image of neutrality.
The diplomat stayed distant during the intense argument to appear unbiased.
Stop being so aloof and come join the party; everyone wants to talk to you!
Don't be so standoffish and join the celebration; people want to chat with you.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Word Family
Memory Tip
Think of 'a roof'. Someone who is aloof is like someone standing on 'a roof'—high up, looking down, and far away from everyone else.
Quick Quiz
Despite the chaos of the protest, the guards remained _______, showing no emotion as the crowds shouted.
Correct!
The correct answer is: aloof
Examples
She stayed aloof from the neighborhood gossip, preferring to keep her private life to herself.
everydayShe remained detached from the local rumors, choosing to keep her personal life private.
The ambassador remained aloof during the heated debate to maintain an image of neutrality.
formalThe diplomat stayed distant during the intense argument to appear unbiased.
Stop being so aloof and come join the party; everyone wants to talk to you!
informalDon't be so standoffish and join the celebration; people want to chat with you.
Certain historical figures were noted for their aloof demeanor, which shielded them from public scrutiny.
academicSome historical people were known for their distant behavior, protecting them from public judgment.
The CEO kept an aloof stance during the merger negotiations to maintain a position of power.
businessThe chief executive held a detached position during the business deal to stay in control.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
to stand aloof from
to refuse to get involved in a particular situation
to keep oneself aloof
to intentionally stay away from others
an air of aloofness
a noticeable quality of being detached
Often Confused With
Alone refers to a physical state of being by oneself, while aloof refers to a psychological or social attitude of being distant.
Usage Notes
The word often carries a slightly negative connotation of being snobbish or unfriendly, but it can also be used neutrally to describe a professional lack of bias.
Common Mistakes
Learners often try to use 'aloof' as a noun because of the 'f' ending, but 'aloofness' is the correct noun form. Also, it is often confused with 'aloft', which means high up in the air.
Memory Tip
Think of 'a roof'. Someone who is aloof is like someone standing on 'a roof'—high up, looking down, and far away from everyone else.
Word Origin
Derived from the Middle English nautical term 'a loof', meaning to windward, used to keep a ship's head away from a lee shore to avoid danger.
Grammar Patterns
Cultural Context
In many Western business contexts, being aloof is seen as a sign of calculated leadership, whereas in more communal cultures, it may be perceived as a lack of team spirit.
Quick Quiz
Despite the chaos of the protest, the guards remained _______, showing no emotion as the crowds shouted.
Correct!
The correct answer is: aloof
Related Vocabulary
Related Words
you
A1Used to refer to the person or people that the speaker is addressing. It is the second-person pronoun used for both singular and plural subjects and objects.
people
A1People refers to a group of human beings or the general public. It is the standard plural form of the word 'person'.
put
A1To move something into a particular place or position. It is a fundamental verb used to describe the act of placing an object or setting a situation in a specific location.
mean
A1To have a specific sense or significance, especially when explaining a word or sign. It can also describe a person's intention or the importance of something to someone.
keep
A1To continue to have or hold something in your possession or at your disposal. It also means to remain in a specific state, condition, or position without changing.
begin
A1To start doing something or for an event to happen for the first time. It is often used to describe the first point of a process or activity.
seem
A1To give the impression of being something or having a particular quality based on what you see or hear. It is used to describe an appearance or feeling that may or may not be the actual truth.
help
A1To make it easier for someone to do something by offering your services, resources, or support. It can involve physical effort, providing information, or giving money to assist a person or a cause.
talk
A1To speak in order to give information or express ideas, feelings, or thoughts. It typically involves a conversation between two or more people or a person addressing an audience.
start
A1To begin doing something or to cause something to happen for the first time. It is frequently used when talking about movements, journeys, or making a machine or engine begin to work.
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