Definitions for Aloof
əˈlufaloof

Princeton's WordNetRate this definition:4.0 / 1 vote

1. aloof, distant, upstageadverb

   remote in manner

   "stood apart with aloof dignity"; "a distant smile"; "he was upstage with strangers"

2. aloofadverb

   in an aloof manner

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

WiktionaryRate this definition:5.0 / 1 vote

1. aloofadverb

   At or from a distance, but within view, or at a small distance; apart; away.

2. aloofadverb

   Without sympathy; unfavorably.

3. aloofadjective

   Reserved and remote; either physically or emotionally distant

4. Etymology: From a- + Middle English loof (="weather gage," also "windward direction"), probably from 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"

Samuel Johnson's DictionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Aloofadverb

   Etymology: all off, that is, quite off.

   1. At a distance; with the particle from. It generally implies a small distance, such as is within view or observation.

   Then bad the knight this lady yede aloof,
   And to an hill herself withdrew aside,
   From whence she might behold the battle’s proof,
   And else be safe from danger far descried. Fairy Queen, b. i.

   As next in worth,
   Came singly where he stood, on the bare strand,
   While the promiscuous croud stood yet aloof. Parad. Lost.

   The noise approaches, though our palace stood
   Aloof from streets, encompass’d with a wood. Dryden.

   2. Applied to persons, it often insinuates caution and circumspection.

   Turn on the bloody hounds with heads of steel,
   And make the cowards stand aloof at bay. William Shakespeare, Henry VI.

   Going northwards, aloof, as long as they had any doubt of being pursued, at last when they were out of reach, they turned and crossed the ocean to Spain. Francis Bacon.

   The king would not, by any means, enter the city, until he had aloof seen the cross set up upon the greater tower of Granada, whereby it became Christian ground. Francis Bacon, Hen. VII.

   Two pots stood by a river, one of brass, the other of clay. The water carried them away; the earthen vessel kept aloof from t’other. Roger L'Estrange, Fables.

   The strong may fight aloof; Ancæus try’d
   His force too near, and by presuming dy’d. John Dryden, Fables.

   3. In a figurative sense, it is used to import art or cunning in conversation, by which a man holds the principal question at a distance.

   Nor do we find him forward to be sounded;
   But with a crafty madness keeps aloof,
   When we would bring him on to some confession
   Of his true state. William Shakespeare, Hamlet.

   4. It is used metaphorically of persons that will not be seen in a design.

   It is necessary the queen join; for, if she stand aloof, there will be still suspicions: it being a received opinion in the world, that she hath a great interest in the king’s favour and power. John Suckling.

   5. It is applied to things not properly belonging to each other.

   Love’s not love,
   When it is mingled with regards that stand
   Aloof from th’ entire point. William Shakespeare, King Lear.

ChatGPTRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. aloof

   Aloof is an adjective that describes someone who is emotionally distant, detached or uninvolved. It can refer to a person who chooses not to participate in social interactions or who appears indifferent or unresponsive to others.

Webster DictionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Aloofnoun

   same as Alewife

2. Aloofadverb

   at or from a distance, but within view, or at a small distance; apart; away

3. Aloofadverb

   without sympathy; unfavorably

4. Aloof

   away from; clear from

5. Etymology: [Pref. a- + loof, fr. D. loef luff, and so meaning, as a nautical word, to the windward. See Loof, Luff.]

Chambers 20th Century DictionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Aloof

   a-lōōf′, adv. at a distance: apart.—n. Aloof′ness, withdrawal from common action or sympathy. [Pfx. a- (—A.S. on), on, and Loof, prob. Dut. loef. See Luff.]

Dictionary of Nautical TermsRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. aloof

   The old word for "keep your luff," in the act of sailing to the wind. (See LUFF.)--Keep aloof, at a distance.

2. aloof

   Nearer to the wind. This is a very old form of luff; being noticed by Matthew Paris, and other writers, as a sea-term. (See LUFF.)

Usage in printed sourcesFrom: 

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How to pronounce Aloof?

1. Alex

   US English

   David

   US English

   Mark

   US English

   Daniel

   British

   Libby

   British

   Mia

   British

   Karen

   Australian

   Hayley

   Australian

   Natasha

   Australian

   Veena

   Indian

   Priya

   Indian

   Neerja

   Indian

   Zira

   US English

   Oliver

   British

   Wendy

   British

   Fred

   US English

   Tessa

   South African

How to say Aloof in sign language?

Numerology

1. Chaldean Numerology

   The numerical value of Aloof in Chaldean Numerology is: 8

2. Pythagorean Numerology

   The numerical value of Aloof in Pythagorean Numerology is: 4

Examples of Aloof in a Sentence

1. Aeschylus:

   Of all the Gods, Death only craves not gifts: Nor sacrifice, nor yet drink-offering poured Avails; no altars hath he, nor is soothed By hymns of praise. From him alone of all The powers of Heaven Persuasion holds aloof.

2. Homer:

   But curb thou the high spirit in thy breast, for gentle ways are best, and keep aloof from sharp contentions.

3. Zhang Chunxian:

   There are Uighurs that have fled overseas and joined the Islamic State, the organization has a huge international influence and Xinjiang can't keep aloof from it and we have already been affected. We have also found that some who fought returned to Xinjiang to participate in terrorist plots.

Popularity rank by frequency of use

References

1. ^ Princeton's WordNet
   http://wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn?s=Aloof
2. ^ Wiktionary
   https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Aloof
3. ^ Samuel Johnson's Dictionary
   https://johnsonsdictionaryonline.com/views/search.php?term=Aloof
4. ^ ChatGPT
   https://chat.openai.com
5. ^ Webster Dictionary
   https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Aloof
6. ^ Chambers 20th Century Dictionary
   https://www.gutenberg.org/files/37683/37683-h/37683-h.htm#:~:text=Aloof
7. ^ Dictionary of Nautical Terms
   https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/26000/pg26000-images.html#:~:text=Aloof
8. ^ Usage in printed sources
   https://books.google.com/ngrams/graph?content=Aloof