Word
lofty
Meanings
very high or elevated in position
noble, ambitious, or idealistic (sometimes unrealistically so)
proud and unfriendly in manner; acting as if superior
Definition
Lofty describes something very high or elevated, or someone’s goals and ideas as noble but sometimes unrealistic.
Lofty most often means very high above the ground, especially when talking about ceilings, mountains, or buildings. It can also describe goals, ideals, or language that seem noble and impressive. In this second meaning, it sometimes suggests the idea is unrealistic or too grand to achieve easily.
Examples
- The apartment has lofty ceilings and huge windows.
- She set lofty goals for herself this year.
- His speech was full of lofty promises but few details.
- The manager’s lofty attitude made the team uncomfortable.
Common mistake
Learners often use lofty only for physical height and miss its common meaning of ambitious or idealistic goals.
More adjectives
- agnostic An agnostic is someone who does not claim to know whether God exists.
- pragmatic Pragmatic means focused on practical results rather than ideals or theories.
- ubiquitous Present, appearing, or found everywhere at the same time.
- cynical Cynical describes believing that people are mainly motivated by self-interest and not sincere.
- apathetic Apathetic means showing little or no interest, concern, or enthusiasm.