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lofty

lofty

39 5.1
Showing high moral ideas or aims that seem admirable and often not realistic
  • adjective
  • /ˈlɔfti/
  • Formal
translation icon : elevado
  • There is, however, an underside to this lofty rhetoric of self-realization.
  • lofty goals
  • lofty ideals
  • a lofty position

Right now, Obama's going with the lofty title of a promised land.

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Examples

  • The "greening of Africa" was a lofty new goal for the Peace Corps.

    Academic text (2008)
  • Please enjoy this issue; we think it is a strong one that can inspire lofty thoughts and aspirations.

    Academic text (2015)
  • Whether you believe in these lofty ideas or not, the numbers do not lie.

  • A lofty goal these days.

  • If none of those lofty goals inspire you, this video is for you.

  • Whatever happened to your lofty ideals, huh?

  • I admire your lofty aspirations, King Ricou.

  • Looking tired but wrapped in lofty presence, she was a queen or a duchess, unrecognized in exile.

    Fiction book (1993)
  • There are some natures too noble to curb and too lofty to bend.

  • She has always pursued lofty ideals, believing in the power of kindness to change the world.

Synonyms

high
vslofty
2.7

Having a very important position or rank

focuses more on moral or intellectual elevation than rank alone
grand
vslofty
  • Formal
419 3.7

Having high moral or intellectual aims

leans more toward social rank and outward elevated appearance
majestic
vslofty
50 4.3

Having great beauty and causing people to feel respect

is more concerned with high moral or intellectual standing
sublime
vslofty
  • Literature
43 6.7

Extremely beautiful or great in a way that makes people feel wonder

is less about awe and more about moral or social elevation
noble
vslofty
24 3.6

Large and impressive in appearance or manner

emphasizes inner moral or intellectual elevation more than looks
high-minded
vslofty
  • Formal
9 6.8

Someone who has strong moral beliefs and high ideals

includes social status and appearance as part of the meaning
rarefied
vslofty
  • Formal
5 9.9

Ideas that only a small group of experts understand

covers high moral or social standing without implying exclusivity
rarified
vslofty
  • Literature
2 9.3

Very intelligent and formal, often found in small educated groups

is broader, applying to high character without exclusive audience focus
exalted
vslofty
  • Formal
1 7.7

Ideas or feelings that seem noble and inspiring

is similar but puts more weight on status or appearance
noble-minded
vslofty
1 6.6

A person who cares very strongly about what is right and fair

stresses social status or elevated appearance as well as ideals
elevated
vslofty
  • Literature
6.7

High in moral, intellectual or artistic value

is the more general term for that same moral character
idealistic
vslofty
7.4

Having strong beliefs about how people should behave to make the world better

refers more to possessing high status or appearance than striving

Antonyms

222 2.8

Not proud and not thinking you are better than others

base
  • Offensive
7.9

Showing low moral quality, not honest or noble

How Lofty

sublime
  • Literature
43 6.7
lofty
  • Formal
39 5.1
high-minded
  • Formal
9 6.8
noble
274 3.6

Surface Forms

lofty positive
loftier comparative
loftiest superlative

Morphology

lofty = loft (semi-transparent) = loft + y

The word 'lofty' is derived from 'loft' with the suffix '-y', but the meaning has shifted from a literal high space to an abstract sense of elevation in status or ideals.

Etymology

Lofty comes from the old English word loft, which meant 'air' or an 'upper room', and the ending -y turns it into a describing word. So, thinking of being 'high' above others helps you remember that lofty means having 'high' or noble ideas and ideals.