Entry 4 senses · 3 variants Webster, 1913 Aloof /əl-o͞of'/ · A·loof · IPA /əˈluːf/ n. adv. prep. 01 n. Same as Alewife. 1. Same as Alewife.(Zool.) See: Alewife 02 adv. At or from a distance, but within view, or at a small distance; apart; away. 1. At or from a distance, but within view, or at a small distance; apart; away. “Our palace stood aloof from streets.” — Dryden. 2. Without sympathy; unfavorably. “To make the Bible as from the hand of God, and then to look at it aloof and with caution, is the worst of all impieties.” — I. Taylor. 03 prep. Away from; clear from. 1. Away from; clear from.[Obs.] “Rivetus . . . would fain work himself aloof these rocks and quicksands.” — Milton.