a ‧ loof /əˈluːf/ BrE AmE 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 people
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]
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THESAURUS
■ 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.
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an unfriendly tone of voice
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They didn't seem very friendly to strangers.
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She gave him an unfriendly glance.
▪ hostile very unfriendly, and ready to argue or fight:
He was openly hostile towards me when I arrived.
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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.
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a cold voice
▪ frosty unfriendly, especially because you are angry with someone:
When she spoke, her tone was frosty.
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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.
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He was an antisocial loner with no friends.