Meaning & use
aloof
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Meanings
adjectivecomparable
Distant in manner; not friendly or willing to talk to or mix with other people.
Grammar: Can sit before a noun (an aloof manner) or after a linking verb (he seems aloof).
Patterns
- an aloof manner
- cold and aloof
- seem aloof
He seemed aloof at the party and spoke to almost no one.
Her aloof manner makes her difficult to approach.
People sometimes read his shyness as aloof and cold.
adjectivecomparable
Deliberately not involved in something; keeping yourself apart from events or other people.
Grammar: Usually follows a verb; most often aloof from something.
Patterns
- aloof from something
- remain/stay aloof
- keep aloof
She stayed aloof from the arguments in the office.
The senator remained aloof from the debate.
During the fight, he held himself aloof and said nothing.
Word forms
| comparative | more aloof |
|---|---|
| superlative | most aloof |
Common combinations
- remain/stay aloof
- She stayed aloof while the others argued.
- aloof from something
- He keeps aloof from office gossip.
- cold and aloof
- The new manager seemed cold and aloof at first.
- hold oneself aloof
- The prince held himself aloof from the crowds.
Synonyms and how they differ
- distant
- Very close in meaning; distant can also describe physical distance, while aloof stresses emotional or social distance.
- detached
- More neutral, meaning not emotionally involved; aloof can sound unfriendly.
- reserved
- Describes someone quiet who does not easily share feelings; softer and less cold than aloof.
Opposites
Commonly confused: aloof or alone?
aloof vs alone
Alone simply means without other people; aloof describes a distant, uninvolved manner, whether or not others are nearby.
Practice
She remained aloof ___ the office gossip.
Choose one answer.
The fixed preposition after aloof is from: aloof from something means uninvolved in it. 'To' and 'with' do not combine with aloof, and 'by' would need a passive structure.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “aloof”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.