aloof
Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English 5++LDOCE 5++a·loof /əˈluːf/ adjective, adverb 1 UNFRIENDLYunfriendly and deliberately not talking to other people 冷漠的[地]；疏远的[地]remain/stay aloof (from somebody) They worked hard, but tended to stay aloof from the local inhabitants. 他们工作努力，但是一般不和当地居民来往。keep/hold yourself aloof (from somebody) She had always kept herself aloof from the boys in class. 她对班上的男生一直很冷漠。 Beneath that aloof exterior, Gayle is a warm, sympathetic person. 在冷漠的外表下，盖尔是个有同情心的热心人。► see thesaurus at unfriendly2 deliberately not becoming involved in something 不参与（的），远离（的）remain/stand aloof (from something) Initially, the President remained aloof from the campaign. 最初，总统没有参与这次运动。hold/keep (yourself) aloof from something The doctor held himself somewhat aloof from the rest of the ship’s crew. 那位医生不大搭理其余的船员。 —aloofness noun [uncountable]
Examples from the Corpus
aloof• She was polite but aloof.• Barbara remained aloof behind the barrier of her menu.• The organization is controlled by aloof intellectuals who do not take an interest in the ordinary members.keep/hold yourself aloof (from somebody)• She believed in holding herself aloof.remain/stand aloof (from something)• He preferred to remain aloof, an invisible presence worshipped from afar.• Some researchers feel it is important to let others generate enthusiasm for their ideas so that they remain aloof and objective.• Barbara remains aloof behind the barrier of her menu.• Fanshawe remained aloof from all that, quietly standing in his corner, paying no attention.• They remained aloof from the front row out of disdain and from the back row out of a sense of responsibility.• Does this show that the father would not be neutral if he remained aloof from the quarrel?• They should neither remain aloof from what goes on in life, nor should they spend all their time solving industrial problems.Origin aloof (1500-1600) aloof “to windward” ((16-18 centuries)), from loof “direction against the wind” ((13-19 centuries)), from Dutch loefa·loof adjectiveChineseSyllable
Corpus deliberately unfriendly to and not other people talking
aloof
a‧loof /əˈluːf/
adjective, adverb
remain/stay aloof (from somebody)
They worked hard, but tended to stay aloof from the local inhabitants.
keep/hold yourself aloof (from somebody)
She had always kept herself aloof from the boys in class.
Beneath that aloof exterior, Gayle is a warm, sympathetic person.
2. deliberately not becoming involved in something
remain/stand aloof (from something)
Initially, the President remained aloof from the campaign.
hold/keep (yourself) aloof from something
The doctor held himself somewhat aloof from the rest of the ship’s crew.
—aloofness noun [uncountable]
■ person/voice/behaviour
▪unfriendly/not friendly behaving towards someone in a way that shows you are not interested in them or are not ready to talk to them or help them: The hotel staff were unfriendly and unhelpful. | an unfriendly tone of voice | They didn't seem very friendly to strangers. | She gave him an unfriendly glance.
▪hostile very unfriendly, and ready to argue or fight: He was openly hostile towards me when I arrived. | A hostile crowd gathered oustide the US embassy.
▪cold behaving towards other people as if you do not like them or care about them: He gave her a cold stare. | a cold voice
▪frosty unfriendly, especially because you are angry with someone: When she spoke, her tone was frosty. | He got a frosty reception from his wife when he finally returned home (=she was not very friendly towards him).
▪aloof [not before noun] not wanting to talk to other people or spend time with them, especially because you think you are better than them: Some politicians are criticized for being too aloof.
▪antagonistic unfriendly and always trying to start arguments with someone: Why are Kate and John so antagonistic towards each other?
▪antisocial not interested in meeting other people or forming friendly relationships with them: Sorry if I'm being antisocial, but I need to get my work done. | He was an antisocial loner with no friends.
a‧loof /əˈluːf/
adjective, adverb Date: 1500-1600
Origin: aloof 'to windward' (16-18 centuries), from loof 'direction against the wind' (13-19 centuries), from Dutch loef
1. unfriendly and deliberately not talking to other peopleOrigin: aloof 'to windward' (16-18 centuries), from loof 'direction against the wind' (13-19 centuries), from Dutch loef
remain/stay aloof (from somebody)
keep/hold yourself aloof (from somebody)
2. deliberately not becoming involved in something
remain/stand aloof (from something)
hold/keep (yourself) aloof from something
—aloofness noun [uncountable]
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