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# aloof

adjective (aloof); adverb (aloof: stand aloof, keep aloof)

«aloof» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. Aloof means unfriendly and distant, keeping away from other people and not joining in. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/A/aloof/#m1)
2. Keeping apart from something on purpose, not getting involved, as in «stay aloof from the argument». [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/A/aloof/#m2)

### In the lessons

In stories it describes a cool, proud or shy character who keeps to themselves; the reader wonders why. Cat books often call cats aloof. Phrases: «remain aloof», «keep aloof from», «seem aloof».

### Examples

- The new boy seemed aloof, but really he was shy. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/A/aloof/#x1)
- Cats can be aloof and walk off when you call them. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/A/aloof/#x2)
- She stayed aloof from the silly argument. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/A/aloof/#x3)
- The princess was cold and aloof with the servants. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/A/aloof/#x4)
- He looks aloof, but he is kind once you know him. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/A/aloof/#x5)
- Don't judge someone as aloof too quickly. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/A/aloof/#x6)
- Ajax alone, who still brooded over his wrongs, held aloof, refusing to converse with Odysseus, and sullenly retired when the hero addressed him. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/A/aloof/#x7)

### Note

Usually after a verb (be, seem, remain aloof). Trap: aloof can be shyness, not pride; the word tells how someone looks to others. Opposite: friendly, outgoing, warm.

## In Jewish tradition

Here it means standing far away. Friends keep away from a suffering person, and a wise person keeps away from quarrels.

**Interpretation.** Tradition values staying out of strife and sees friends who leave a sufferer as a sad picture of loneliness in trouble.

### Examples

- My friends and my companions stand aloof from my plague; and my kinsmen stand afar off. (Writings PSA.38.12, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/A/aloof/#x1)
- It is an honour for a man to keep aloof from strife; but every fool will be snarling. (Writings PRO.20.3, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/A/aloof/#x2)
- Otherwise if I had dealt falsely against mine own life — and there is no matter hid from the king — then thou thyself wouldest have stood aloof.' (Prophets 2SA.18.13, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/A/aloof/#x3)

### Note

Usually after a verb (be, seem, remain aloof). Trap: aloof can be shyness, not pride; the word tells how someone looks to others. Opposite: friendly, outgoing, warm.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «aloof» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/A/aloof/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«aloof» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/aloof.html) on Mova free.
- [Trees and pragmatics of «aloof» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/A/aloof/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«aloof» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/w/aloof.html) on Mova free.