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aloofness

 - 3 dictionary results

a⋅loof

  [uh-loof]
Use aloofness in a Sentence
–adverb
1. at a distance, esp. in feeling or interest; apart: They always stood aloof from their classmates.
–adjective
2. reserved or reticent; indifferent; disinterested: Because of his shyness, he had the reputation of being aloof.
Origin:
1525–35; a- 1 + loof luff windward

Related forms:
a⋅loof⋅ly, adverb
a⋅loof⋅ness, noun

Synonyms:
2. cool, detached; distant, standoffish; snobbish, haughty, disdainful.

Antonyms:
1. near. 2. warm, open, gregarious, outgoing.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To aloofness
a·loof   (ə-lōōf')   
adj.  Distant physically or emotionally; reserved and remote: stood apart with aloof dignity.
adv.  At a distance but within view; apart.

[a-2 + luff, windward part of a ship (obsolete).]
a·loof'ly adv., a·loof'ness n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

aloof 
1532, from a- (1) + M.E. loof "weather gage," also "windward direction," probably from Du. 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 fig. sense of "at a distance, apart" (1583).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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