Definition of ALOOF

aloof

Meanings

Adjective Satellite

  • remote in manner
    • "stood apart with aloof dignity"

Adverb

  • in an aloof manner
    • "the local gentry and professional classes had held aloof for the school had accepted their sons readily enough"

Adv

  • At or from a distance, but within view, or at a small distance; apart; away.
  • Without sympathy; unfavorably.

Adj

  • Reserved and remote; either physically or emotionally distant; standoffish.

Prep

  • Away from; clear of.

Origin / Etymology

From Middle English loof (“weather gage, windward direction”), probably from Middle Dutch (Compare Dutch loef (“the weather side of a ship”)), originally a nautical order to keep the ship's head to the wind, thus to stay clear of a lee-shore or some other quarter, hence the figurative sense of "at a distance, apart".

Scrabble Score: 8

aloof is a valid Scrabble (US) TWL word
aloof is a valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
aloof is a valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 9

aloof is a valid Words With Friends word