lofty
gb/lˈɔfti/ us/lˈɔfti/
B1
English
~ 2800
Senses
0 senses
adjective
B1
property
1
Very tall or high
Very tall or high above the ground.
Usage pattern:
a lofty [mountain/building/ceiling]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'lofty' with 'loose' due to similar spelling, but they are unrelated in meaning.
Synonyms
tall (A general term for having greater height than average; less formal or grand than 'lofty'.)
|
high (Describes something positioned far above the ground, without the connotation of grandeur.)
Antonyms
low (Opposite in vertical position; close to the ground.)
Collocations
lofty mountain
|lofty ceiling
|lofty peak
|lofty tower
Themes
nature
|architecture
|space
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The hikers admired the lofty peaks in the distance.
- A lofty tower stood at the center of the old city.
- The cathedral’s lofty ceiling took decades to complete.
- From her balcony, she had a view of the lofty cliffs.
- The castle was built on a lofty hill.
Learner examples
- The mountain is very lofty.
- That church has a lofty ceiling.
- We saw a lofty tower from the road.
- The house is on a lofty hill.
adjective
B2
property
2
Of high moral or intellectual quality
Having very good and important ideas or goals.
Usage pattern:
lofty [goal/ideal/principle]
Common mistake:
Learners may use 'lofty' to mean 'expensive' by mistake; it refers to moral or intellectual height, not cost.
Synonyms
noble (Emphasizes dignity and moral virtue.)
|
elevated (Suggests a high intellectual or moral level, often formal.)
Antonyms
base (Morally low or dishonorable.)
Collocations
lofty ideals
|lofty goals
|lofty principles
|lofty ambitions
Themes
values
|society
|education
|emotions
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She devoted her life to the lofty ideal of equality for all.
- The charity's lofty goals inspired many volunteers.
- He spoke of lofty principles but rarely acted on them.
- Their mission was guided by lofty ambitions for social change.
- It’s easy to have lofty dreams, but harder to make them real.
Learner examples
- He has lofty goals for his company.
- They work for a lofty cause.
- Her lofty ideas are about helping people.
- Lofty dreams can be hard to reach.
adjective
B2
property
3
Arrogantly superior in manner
Acting as if you are better than other people.
Usage pattern:
a lofty [tone/manner/attitude]
Common mistake:
Some learners confuse this with 'tall' meaning; here it refers to personality, not physical height.
Synonyms
haughty (Strongly implies disdainful pride.)
|
arrogant (Emphasizes an exaggerated sense of self-importance.)
Antonyms
humble (Opposite in attitude; not proud or arrogant.)
Collocations
lofty tone
|lofty manner
|lofty attitude
Themes
emotions
|personality
|relationships
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- He dismissed our concerns with a lofty wave of his hand.
- Her lofty tone made it clear she didn’t value our opinions.
- The professor’s lofty manner alienated some students.
- They approached us with a lofty attitude that was off-putting.
- His lofty air suggested he thought himself above everyone else.
Learner examples
- She spoke in a lofty voice.
- He gave me a lofty look.
- The man has a lofty manner.
- I do not like her lofty attitude.
Grammar
Dictionary form
lofty
IPA
GB/lˈɔfti/
US/lˈɔfti/
Syllables & stress
lofty (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (lofty)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: lofty
- Comparative: loftier
- Superlative: loftiest
Word family
Expressions
from a lofty height
1/fɹˈʌm ə lˈɔfti hˈaɪt/
fixed phrase
From a high position, literal or figurative
From a place that is high above, or acting as if you are more important than others.
Examples
- She looked down at the crowd from a lofty height on the balcony.
- Critics accused him of judging others from a lofty height.
lofty ambitions
1/lˈɔfti æmbˈɪʃənz/
fixed phrase
Very high or important goals
Big and important plans for success or improvement.
Examples
- The young scientist had lofty ambitions to change the world.
- Despite his lofty ambitions, he remained humble and hardworking.
lofty ideals
1/lˈɔfti aɪdˈiəlz/
fixed phrase
Very high moral principles
Very good and important ideas about how people should live or act.
Examples
- The movement was founded on lofty ideals of freedom and equality.
- Her speech was full of lofty ideals but lacked practical steps.