Lofty describes something very high up, whether physically or in a more abstract sense. A cathedral with lofty ceilings might tower 100 feet above your head, making you feel small when you look up. Mountain peaks are lofty when they rise far above the surrounding landscape.

The word also describes goals, ideas, or ambitions that aim high. When a student sets a lofty goal of becoming a doctor, they're choosing something difficult that will take years of hard work. A lofty ideal like “treating everyone with equal respect” represents a high standard, even if it's challenging to achieve consistently.

Sometimes lofty carries a hint of caution: lofty ambitions can be admirable, but they need to be paired with realistic plans and effort. Someone with a lofty attitude might act superior to others, as if they're looking down from a great height. That's when being lofty becomes off-putting rather than inspiring.

Whether you're describing a soaring ceiling, a challenging goal, or an attitude that's a bit too proud, lofty always suggests reaching upward into thin air.