aloofness

noun

aloof·​ness ə-ˈlüf-nəs How to pronounce aloofness (audio)
: the quality or state of being aloof or emotionally distant
Her aloofness … did not endear her to the rest of the company …Marybeth Kerrigan
… there was an aloofness in him which the boys and I could never quite bridge.Mildred D. Taylor
His aloofness was … born more of insecurity than of arrogance …David Cannadine
… was respected for his military tenacity and his surprising aloofness from party favoritism.Simon Schama

Examples of aloofness in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Who better than Alain Delon — dashing and with a hint of growing aloofness — to represent a man of such multitudes? Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 22 Aug. 2024 Taking the reins from Glenn Close, who originated the role on Broadway, Scherzinger brings an almost alien quality to Norma, whose strange poise and aloofness masks much deeper, repressed trauma. Patrick Ryan, USA TODAY, 21 Oct. 2024 His international friendships were full of comings and goings—a strange combination of aloofness and yearning. Vann R. Newkirk Ii, The Atlantic, 2 Aug. 2024 Sante, even freed up now to be a chattier and more easygoing version of herself, retains a bit of her aloofness. Carl Swanson, Vulture, 9 Feb. 2024 See all Example Sentences for aloofness 

Word History

Etymology

aloof entry 1 + -ness

First Known Use

1639, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of aloofness was in 1639

Dictionary Entries Near aloofness

Cite this Entry

“Aloofness.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/aloofness. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on aloofness

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!