How to pronounce aloof
Say it like uh-LOOF. Aloof has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (LOOF).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce aloof. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- uh
- LOOF
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Aloof pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- LOOFSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "oo" in food.
American vs British pronunciation of aloof
American and British speakers say aloof in essentially the same way: /əˈluf/ in the US and /əˈluːf/ in the UK.
British respelling: uh-LOOF.
What does aloof mean?
- Either physically or emotionally remote: distant, standoffish.
- At or from a distance, but within view, or at a small distance; apart; away.
- Without sympathy; unfavorably.
Where does aloof come from?
From Middle English loof (“weather gage, windward direction”), probably from Middle Dutch (Compare Dutch loef (“the weather side of a ship”)), originally a nautical order to keep the ship's head to the wind, thus to stay clear of a lee-shor
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with aloof
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of aloof.
Questions about saying aloof
How do you pronounce aloof?
Say uh-LOOF. The American pronunciation is /əˈluf/. In British English it is /əˈluːf/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in aloof?
Aloof has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (LOOF). Broken into parts: uh · LOOF.
Do Americans and Brits say aloof the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /əˈluf/ and the British form is /əˈluːf/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.