standoffish
pronunciation
How to pronounce standoffish in British English:
UK ['stænd'ɔ:fɪʃ]
How to pronounce standoffish in American English:
US [stændˈɔfɪʃ, -ˈɑfɪʃ]
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- Adjective:
- lacking cordiality; unfriendly
Word Origin
- standoffish (adj.)
- 1826, from verbal phrase stand off "hold aloof" (c. 1600); see stand (v.) + off (adv.). Related: Standoffishly; standoffishness.
Example
- 1. The previously standoffish imf co-operates with the european commission , national governments and the banks .
- 2. Unlike standoffish berliners , ordinary folk in dortmund joined the party .
- 3. The elder president bush reveals that elizabeth ii is " rather formal " but not " standoffish " .
- 4. If he is standoffish in public , he can still enjoy the mothering he secretly still craves in the privacy of home .
- 5. Blacksburg , va. ( ap ) -- a virginia tech graduate student accused of beheading a fellow student displayed erratic and standoffish behavior in the months before the attack on campus this week , his landlord said friday .