aloofness

/əˈlufnəs/

Other forms: aloofnesses

Aloofness is a noun meaning a state of being distant, remote, or withdrawn. Someone showing aloofness might be shy, or just really doesn't want to be around people.

Aloofness is from the adjective aloof — originally a nautical term. The lee side of a ship was the sheltered side, but in a storm, if the wind was blowing your ship toward shore, you wanted to steer toward the loof (or weather side) of the ship, so that you weren't forced into the shore. Thus literally trying to keep your distance from shore by steering a loof, which gave rise to the more figurative meaning of being distant.

Definitions of aloofness

1. noun

   a disposition to be distant and unsympathetic in manner
   synonyms: remoteness, standoffishness, withdrawnness

   types:

   unapproachability

   a disposition to be unapproachable; unfriendly and inaccessible

   type of:

   unsociability, unsociableness

   an unsociable disposition; avoiding friendship or companionship
2. noun

   indifference by personal withdrawal
   synonyms: distance

   type of:

   indifference

   unbiased impartial unconcern