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Aloof vs Desolate - What's the difference?

aloof | desolate |

As adjectives the difference between aloof and desolate

is that aloof is reserved and remote; either physically or emotionally distant; standoffish while desolate is deserted and devoid of inhabitants.

As an adverb aloof

is at or from a distance, but within view, or at a small distance; apart; away.

As a preposition aloof

is (obsolete) away from; clear of.

As a verb desolate is

to deprive of inhabitants.

aloof

English

Adverb

(en adverb)
  • At or from a distance, but within view, or at a small distance; apart; away.
  • *
  • *{{quote-book, year=1922, author=(Ben Travers), title=(A Cuckoo in the Nest)
  • , chapter=2 citation , passage=Mother
  • Without sympathy; unfavorably.
  • *
  • Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Reserved and remote; either physically or emotionally distant; standoffish.
  • See also

    * See also

    Preposition

    (English prepositions)
  • (obsolete) away from; clear of
  • * Milton
  • Rivetus would fain work himself aloof these rocks and quicksands.
    (Webster 1913)

    desolate

    English

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Deserted and devoid of inhabitants.
  • a desolate''' isle; a '''desolate''' wilderness; a '''desolate house
  • * Bible, Jer. ix. 11
  • I will make Jerusalem a den of dragons, and I will make the cities of Judah desolate , without an inhabitant.
  • * Tennyson
  • And the silvery marish flowers that throng / The desolate creeks and pools among.
  • Barren and lifeless.
  • Made unfit for habitation or use; laid waste; neglected; destroyed.
  • desolate altars
  • Dismal or dreary.
  • Sad, forlorn and hopeless.
  • He was left desolate by the early death of his wife.
  • * Keble
  • voice of the poor and desolate

    Verb

    (desolat)
  • To deprive of inhabitants.
  • To devastate or lay waste somewhere.
  • To abandon or forsake something.
  • To make someone sad, forlorn and hopeless.