different between lofty vs lordly

English

Etymology

From Middle English lofty, lofti, lofte (“of high rank; noble; ornate”), equivalent to loft +? -y; see loft (“sky, firmament; upper room”).

Pronunciation

• (Received Pronunciation) enPR: l?ft?i, IPA^(key): /?l?fti/
• (General American) enPR: lôft?i, IPA^(key): /?l??fti/
• (cot–caught merger, Canada) enPR: l?ft?i, IPA^(key): /?l?fti/
• Rhymes: -?fti, -??fti

Adjective

lofty (comparative loftier, superlative loftiest)

1. high, tall, having great height or stature
   • 1885, Richard F. Burton, The Book of the Thousand Nights and a Night, Night 551:

     When the night was half spent, I rose and walked on, till the day broke in all its beauty and the sun rose over the heads of the lofty hills and athwart the low gravelly plains.

2. idealistic, implying over-optimism

   a lofty goal

   • 2013, Delme Parfitt in Wales Online, Cardiff City 1 - 0 Swansea City: Steven Caulker heads Bluebirds to South Wales derby win (3 November 2013)

     A goal from Steven Caulker, just after the hour mark, was enough to hand victory to Malky Mackay's men, with Swansea falling some way short of the lofty standards they have set previously at this level.

3. extremely proud; arrogant; haughty
   • F. Harrison

     that lofty pity with which prosperous folk are apt to remember their grandfathers

Synonyms

• (having great height or stature): noble, honorable

Antonyms

• (having great height or stature): mean, ignoble
• (idealistic): familiar, vulgar

Related terms

• loft
• aloft

Translations

English

Alternative forms

• Lordly

Etymology

From Middle English louerdlich, lordlyche, lordeliche, from Old English hl?fordl?? (“lordly; heroic; noble”), equivalent to lord +? -ly.

The adverb is from Middle English lordly, lordely, lordliche.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /?l??(?)dli/

Adjective

lordly (comparative lordlier or more lordly, superlative lordliest or most lordly)

1. Of or relating to a lord.

   Show us your lordly might: demonstrate that you can order people and get them to obey.

   • 1880, John Nichols, The Gentleman's Magazine - Volume 248 - Page 60:

     But they are the peers of the Queensland Parliament, and, having no lordly robes, must approach the Old Country model as closely as possible.

   • 2006, Steve Wharton, Screening Reality - Page 104:

     [...] in that some form of duty and sacrifice (here, participation in the 1848 Revolution and a recognition of his lordly duty) is not only beneficially character- forming but also leads ultimately to a condition which is 'sublime'.

   • 2011, Thomas Smith, C. Matthew McMahon, Therese B. McMahon, Select Memoirs of the English and Scottish Divines: - Page 282:

     Samson, in reply to this, says, “If you are not lordly, nor value your lordly title, as you tell me, and I trust in truth and sincerity, shall I call you a phoenix?

   • 2011, Mary Jane Staples, Appointment At The Palace: An Adams Family Saga Novel - Page 275:

     [...] he's still got his lordly habits, and more so since coming out of the war as a general.' 'A colonel, Sammy,' said Rachel. 'Same thing, good as,' said Sammy. 'Boots, of course, does wear his lordly crown with style,' said Rachel. 'Don't I know it?

2. Having the qualities of a lord; lordlike; noble
3. Appropriate for, or suitable to, a lord; glorious.
   • 1849, Alfred, Lord Tennyson, In Memorium A. H. H.

     The maidens gathered strength and grace / And presence, lordlier than before.
4. Proud; haughty; imperious; insolent.

Derived terms

• lordliness

Translations

Adverb

lordly (comparative lordlier, superlative lordliest)

1. In the manner of a lord. Showing command or nobility.
   • 1891, Sir Edwin Arnold, The Light of the World: Or, The Great Consummation,^[1] Book I — “Mary Magdalene”, Funk & Wagnalls, page 56,

     […] / And Herod's painted pinnaces, ablaze / With lamps, and brazen shields and spangled slaves, / Came and went lordly at Tiberias; / […]

Anagrams

• drolly