MEANING
Socially distant or aloof, appearing unwilling to engage warmly with other people.
Use it for
Describe someone who keeps others at a social distance.Let a character’s reserved behavior create uncertainty about their motives.
Words that belong together
- standoffish manner
- seem standoffish
- standoffish toward strangers
On the page
The standoffish archivist answered each question without looking up from the ledger.
Nearby words
Opposite meanings
Word forms
- Base
- standoffish
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Usage notes
Usually describes an interpersonal manner; it suggests cool distance, not necessarily hostility or dislike.
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