aloof
gb/əlˈuf/ us/əlˈuf/
B2
English
~ 27800
rideg, hideg, távolságtartó, zárkózott, távol marad, kimarad, távoli, különálló, távol tartja magát, távolságtartóan
B2
1
Usage pattern:
[someone] is/looks/seems aloof (from [someone/something])
At parties he always seems aloof, standing in the corner and talking to almost no one.
Bulikon mindig távolságtartónak tűnik: a sarokban áll, és szinte senkihez sem szól.
She kept an aloof expression during the meeting, giving nothing away about her true feelings.
A megbeszélésen végig távolságtartó arckifejezése volt, és semmit sem árult el a valódi érzéseiről.
The manager was polite but noticeably aloof, which made new employees nervous.
Her classmates thought she was aloof, but she was actually just very shy.
His aloof manner makes it hard for people to get close to him.
Learner examples
My new boss is very aloof and does not talk much.
Az új főnököm nagyon távolságtartó, és nemigen beszél.
People think he is rude because he looks aloof.
Az emberek azt hiszik, hogy udvariatlan, mert távolságtartónak látszik.
She stayed aloof and did not join our small talk.
The teacher was kind but a little aloof with the students.
He acts aloof, so it is hard to be his friend.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'aloof' with 'alone' or 'lonely'. 'Aloof' describes someone who chooses to keep emotional distance, not someone who is physically by themselves or feels sad and isolated. Another mistake is thinking it mainly means 'far away' in space; in modern English it usually refers to emotional or social distance.
Meaning
emotionally distant and unfriendly
Collocations
seem aloof
|cool and aloof
|distant and aloof
|remain aloof
|emotionally aloof
|appear aloof
Synonyms
distant (Suggests a lack of warmth or closeness, but can be slightly less cold than 'aloof'.)
|
detached (Emphasizes emotional separation or not being personally involved; slightly more formal.)
|
standoffish (Informal; suggests someone actively holds others away and may seem unfriendly.)
Antonyms
friendly (Shows openness and kindness toward others, the opposite of emotionally distant.)
|
warm (Expresses affection and emotional openness, unlike the cold feeling of being aloof.)
|
approachable (Easy to talk to and connect with, which contrasts with the distance suggested by 'aloof'.)
Themes
emotions
|personality
|relationships
Definition
Not friendly or open; keeping emotional distance from people and not showing much interest in them.
Not warm or friendly; emotionally or socially distant from other people and showing little interest in them.
B2
FORMAL
2
távol marad
B1
kimarad
B1
Usage pattern:
[someone/something] remains/stands/stays aloof from [something]
The country has so far remained aloof from the conflict.
Az ország eddig távol maradt a konfliktustól.
Many older voters stayed aloof from the protests, preferring not to take sides.
Sok idősebb választó távol maradt a tüntetésektől, mert nem akart egyik oldalra sem állni.
The company tries to appear aloof from political debates.
Academic institutions should not be completely aloof from the communities they serve.
He stood aloof from the argument, refusing to get involved.
Learner examples
The government stayed aloof from the war.
A kormány távol maradt a háborútól.
She tried to remain aloof from office politics.
Igyekezett kimaradni az irodai politikából.
He kept aloof from the fight between his friends.
Our school is not aloof from local problems.
The organization was aloof from the debate for many years.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes say *'aloof of' or *'aloof to' instead of the correct preposition 'aloof from' when talking about not taking part (e.g. 'They remained aloof from the negotiations'). They may also try to place it directly before a noun (e.g. *'an aloof from politics leader') instead of using it after a verb ('He remained aloof from politics').
Meaning
not involved; keeping separate
Collocations
remain aloof from
|stand aloof from
|keep aloof from
|largely aloof from
|remain politically aloof
Synonyms
uninvolved (Neutral term for not taking part, without the emotional distance implied by 'aloof'.)
|
detached (Suggests deliberate separation or neutrality, often used in formal or analytical contexts.)
|
neutral (Focuses on not taking sides, especially in conflicts or debates.)
Antonyms
involved (Actively taking part in something, the opposite of staying apart.)
|
engaged (Showing active interest and participation, unlike being aloof from events.)
Themes
society
|politics
|relationships
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Choosing not to join or take part in something; staying separate from it.
Not taking part in or becoming involved with a particular activity, group, or situation, often on purpose.
C1
LITERARY
3
Usage pattern:
[someone/something] is/stands aloof from [something/someone]
A single tree stood aloof on the far hillside.
A távoli domboldalon magában állt egyetlen fa.
The small boat kept aloof from the dangerous rocks.
A kis csónak távol maradt a veszélyes szikláktól.
He sat aloof from the others, under a lamppost at the edge of the square.
Learner examples
The house stands aloof from the village.
A ház a falutól távol helyezkedik el.
The boy stayed aloof from the water’s edge.
A fiú távol maradt a vízparttól.
A tall tower rose aloof above the town.
Common mistake:
This physical-distance meaning is rare in modern everyday English. Learners may think it is the main meaning, but today it usually sounds literary. For everyday speech, 'far from', 'away from', or 'separate from' are more natural.
Meaning
at a physical distance
Collocations
stand aloof from the crowd
|kept aloof from the shore
|remained aloof on the hill
Synonyms
apart (Shows physical separation, often without the slightly formal or literary flavor of 'aloof'.)
|
distant (Can describe physical space or emotional distance; here it focuses on physical space.)
Antonyms
near (Physically close in distance, the opposite of standing aloof.)
|
close (In a nearby position, not separated by space.)
Themes
space
|movement
Definition
Physically away from something or someone; not close in place.
At some distance in space from something or someone; not nearby.
C2
LITERARY
4
Usage pattern:
[someone] stands/remains/keeps aloof from [something/someone]
He stood aloof, watching the scene unfold without saying a word.
Távol állt, és egy szó nélkül figyelte, mi történik.
Throughout the crisis, she remained aloof, refusing to be drawn into the dispute.
A válság alatt végig távolságtartó maradt, és nem hagyta, hogy bevonják a vitába.
The dog kept aloof, circling the group but never coming near.
Learner examples
The old man stood aloof and did not speak.
Az öregember távol állt, és nem szólt semmit.
She kept aloof from the other guests.
Távol tartotta magát a többi vendégtől.
He remained aloof while his friends argued.
Common mistake:
Learners may not realize that 'aloof' can be used as an adverb (after verbs like 'stand', 'remain', 'keep'). In modern English this adverb use sounds quite formal or literary, so in everyday speech people more often use phrases like 'stood apart' or 'stayed away'.
Meaning
at an emotional or physical distance
Collocations
stand aloof
|keep aloof
|remain aloof
|hold oneself aloof
Synonyms
apart (Shows being separate or away, but without the same formal or emotional flavor.)
|
remotely (Can suggest being far away or emotionally distant, but often focuses on physical distance.)
Antonyms
closely (Shows emotional or physical nearness to others, the opposite of remaining aloof.)
|
together (Indicates being with others, not standing apart from them.)
Themes
emotions
|space
Definition
In a way that is away from other people, in feeling or in place.
At a distance, either emotionally or physically, especially by choice.
Grammar
Dictionary form
aloof
IPA
GB/əlˈuf/
US/əlˈuf/
Syllables & stress
aloof (1 syllable)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: aloof
Word family
Core family
aloofness
noun
Related words
aloofly
adverb
Negative and opposite forms
approachable
adjective
Expressions
keep aloof from
1/kˈip əlˈuf fɹˈʌm/
fixed phrase
formal
deliberately avoid involvement
To stay away from something or someone and not get involved with them.
Examples
- He tried to keep aloof from workplace gossip.
- The judge must keep aloof from any political movements.
- They advised her to keep aloof from the family dispute.
remain aloof from
1/ɹɪmˈeɪn əlˈuf fɹˈʌm/
fixed phrase
formal
stay separate; not take part
To choose not to join or take part in something; to stay separate from it.
Examples
- The organization has tried to remain aloof from party politics.
- Many parents prefer to remain aloof from online arguments about schooling.
- Despite the scandal, the director remained aloof from the public debate.
stand aloof
1/stˈænd əlˈuf/
fixed phrase
literary
stand at a distance; not join
To stand away from other people and not join what they are doing, either in body or in feeling.
Examples
- She stood aloof while the others argued.
- In the painting, a single figure stands aloof from the crowd.
- He preferred to stand aloof, watching events instead of joining in.