standoffish

or stand-off·ish

[ stand-aw-fish, -of-ish ]

adjective

1. somewhat aloof or reserved; cold and unfriendly.

standoffish

/ ˌstændˈɒfɪʃ /

adjective

1. reserved, haughty, or aloof

Derived Forms

• ˌstandˈoffishness, noun
• ˌstandˈoffishly, adverb

Other Words From

• standoffish·ly adverb
• standoffish·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of standoffish¹

First recorded in 1855–60; standoff + -ish ¹

Example Sentences

"I suspect people may have thought 'oh he's pretty standoffish' but it's a combination of shyness and not knowing what to say," he said.

From BBC

I went from being very standoffish about him and not trusting him to really enjoying our conversations.

From Los Angeles Times

Or maybe the grouchy, standoffish, self-righteous pain in the butt is a character that resonates in Denmark.

From New York Times

Has the media’s limited access to Ohtani created an illusion of him being more standoffish or isolated than he really is?

From Los Angeles Times

For her latest movie, “Sometimes I Think About Dying,” Daisy Ridley plays Fran, a drab, standoffish, occasionally obnoxious office worker.

From New York Times

Related Words

• aloof
• antisocial