# lofty

/ˈɫɔfti/ (US) · /lˈɒfti/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/lofty
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. physically high

adjective · CEFR C1 · Literary

very high or tall, like a mountain or a ceiling.

For teachers: rising to a great height; physically towering or elevated.

- The cathedral had lofty ceilings that made the visitors feel very small.
- From our vantage point, we could see the lofty peaks of the Alps piercing through the morning mist.

### 2. noble or grand ideas

adjective · CEFR C1 · Academic · Formal

having high standards or grand, noble goals.

For teachers: elevated in character and spirit; noble or sublime in aim.

- The politician spoke about lofty goals like world peace and ending poverty.
- While the manifesto outlined several lofty ideals, critics argued that it lacked a practical framework for implementation.

### 3. proud or arrogant

adjective · CEFR C1 · Formal

acting like you are better or more important than other people.

For teachers: showing a superior or haughty attitude toward others.

- He spoke in a lofty tone that made his colleagues feel insulted.
- The manager's lofty dismissal of the staff's concerns led to a significant decline in office morale.

## Examples

- She has lofty goals for her new career.
- The architect's lofty designs for the new cathedral were praised for their beauty but criticized for their extreme cost.
- While his rhetoric was filled with lofty ideals about equality and justice, his private actions often suggested a much more cynical view of human nature.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.