Basic Details
Word: Aloofness
Part of Speech: Noun
Meaning: A state of being distant or not friendly towards others.
Synonyms: Indifference, detachment, distance
Antonyms: Affection, friendliness, warmth
Idioms and Phrases
- Keep them at arm's length: To maintain a distance in a relationship to avoid closeness. Example: "He tends to keep his colleagues at arm's length, never sharing personal details."
- Ice Queen/Ice Man: A person who appears cold or emotionally distant. Example: "Despite her stunning looks, she was known as the Ice Queen for her aloofness towards others."
Usage Examples
Example 1: Her aloofness made it difficult for her classmates to approach her during the group project.
Example 2: The dog's aloofness surprised us, as most dogs are very friendly and eager to play.
Example 3: His aloofness at the party left everyone wondering if he was feeling well.
Fun Fact
Aloofness comes from a nautical term meaning "to steer clear" or "to keep away from," which reflects the idea of keeping oneself distanced from others.
Famous Quote
"The greatest thing in the world is to know how to belong to oneself." - Michel de Montaigne (This quote hints at the balance between aloofness and belonging.)
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
1. What does "aloofness" mean?
a) A state of excitement
b) A state of being distant or unfriendly
c) A state of happiness
d) A state of closeness
Answer: b) A state of being distant or unfriendly
2. Which of these is a synonym of "aloofness"?
a) Warmth
b) Indifference
c) Affection
d) Friendship
Answer: b) Indifference
3. Which of the following is an antonym of "aloofness"?
a) Distance
b) Coldness
c) Friendliness
d) Indifference
Answer: c) Friendliness
4. Which sentence uses "aloofness" correctly?
a) His aloofness made him the life of the party.
b) The aloofness of the cat made it hard to pet her.
c) Her aloofness was celebrated in the dance competition.
d) Aloofness is always welcome among friends.
Answer: b) The aloofness of the cat made it hard to pet her.
5. Which idiom relates to the concept of "aloofness"?
a) Keep them at arm's length
b) Every cloud has a silver lining
c) A drop in the ocean
d) Break the ice
Answer: a) Keep them at arm's length
