stand·off·ish

(stănd-ô′fĭsh, -ŏf′ĭsh)

adj.

Aloof or reserved.

stand·off′ish·ness n.

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

standoffish

(ˌstændˈɒfɪʃ)

adj

reserved, haughty, or aloof

ˌstandˈoffishly adv

ˌstandˈoffishness n

Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014

stand′off′ish

or stand′-off′ish,

adj.

tending to be aloof and unfriendly.

[1855–60]

stand′off′ish•ly, adv.

stand′off′ish•ness, n.

ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:

Adj.

standoffish - lacking cordiality; unfriendly; "a standoffish manner"

offish

unapproachable - discouraging intimacies; reserved; "an unapproachable executive"

standoffish

adjective

Not friendly, sociable, or warm in manner:

aloof, chill, chilly, cool, distant, offish, remote, reserved, reticent, solitary, unapproachable, uncommunicative, undemonstrative, withdrawn.

Translations

scontroso

standoffish

[ˌstændˈɒfɪʃ] adj (fam, pej) → scostante, freddo/a

Collins Italian Dictionary 1st Edition © HarperCollins Publishers 1995

Mentioned in

References in classic literature

"The great and only Max is more stiff and standoffish than ever this year," said Huldah.

View in context

"For me, being standoffish is me having respect for those in the villa because someone is hurting in there.

Love Island's Joanna reacts badly to Michael still having feelings for Amber; Love Island's Joanna has reacted badly to Michael's confession that he still likes Amber

DOWN: 1 Cleaver 2 Concerto 3 Beta 4 Corporal 5 Etui 6 Perth 8 Standoffish 13 Alter ego 14 Extended 15 Uproots 18 Islam 20 Moon 21 City.

PS150 Xword

He told The Dodo, 'She was a little standoffish at first, but then I started to talk to her and pet her and bring her treats.'

SENIOR DOG AND MAIL CARRIER'S FRIENDSHIP HONORED WITH HEARTBREAKING LETTER

"We were standoffish about all flags," he said, noting this extended to the European flag.

EU flags come down in Brexit Britain

The government appeared standoffish when its role should have been to take those threatening protest to task for disturbing peace.

Women's cycling event a non-starter

A standoffish attitude suits neither the country nor the PTI.

Gas shortage in Sindh

Isn't as much of a ladies' man as people think, and |Was snubbed by "standoffish" Taoiseach Leo Varadkar.

I crashed & burned after election win.. and thought about suicide TROUBLES Robert Troy; Fianna Fail TD Troy reveals mental ordeal; Admits drink-drive & porn habit in youth; Denies he's a ladies man & raps 'aloof' Leo

It's going to be fun and approachable, not standoffish. A fun, engaged, exciting place."

F&B outlets at Wyndham Dubai Marina to be revamped

By 1964, as a Bobby-inspired Democrat attending Manhattan College, Giuliani was writing columns railing against Republican presidential nominee Barry Goldwater, whose view of government he found "cold hearted" and "standoffish." Later, at the U.S.

Election deja vu: Is trump the new Giuliani?

" He has played the club before, and recalls: "The crowd was a little standoffish at the beginning.

Cat's the luckiest woman alive to have me; IRISH COMIC HITS BACK AT JIBES THAT BRUM TV BEAUTY WIFE IS OUT OF HIS LEAGUE!