Lofty Definition & Meaning | Britannica Dictionary (original) (raw)

Britannica Dictionary definition of LOFTY

[also more lofty; most lofty]

1

literary

:

rising to a great height

:

very tall and impressive

• lofty redwood trees
• lofty buildings

2

:

very high and good

:

deserving to be admired

• He set lofty goals for himself as a teacher.
• lofty ideals/standards

3

:

showing the insulting attitude of people who think that they are better, smarter, or more important than other people

• The professor spoke with a lofty [=_haughty_] air.
• She showed a lofty disregard for their objections.

— loftily

/ˈlɑːftəli/

adverb

• She loftily dismissed their objections.

— loftiness

/ˈlɑːftinəs/

noun

[noncount]