standoffishness

/ˌstændˈɒf.ɪʃ.nəs/ (bre, ipa) · /ˌstændˈɑː.fɪʃ.nəs/ (ame, ipa)

standoffishness — 名詞

1. the quality of keeping a polite distance from other people, so that you seem a l

1.名詞C1
釋義

冷淡疏離

刻意與人保持距離、顯得不太友善的態度

the quality of keeping a polite distance from other people, so that you seem a little cold and not very friendly toward them

例句

Otis greeted the new staff with a quiet standoffishness that made them feel unwelcome.

Otis 用一種冷淡疏離的態度迎接新同事，讓他們覺得不受歡迎。

noun describing a cold, distant manner

The hotel owner mistook the manager's shyness for standoffishness and complained about her.

飯店老闆把經理的害羞誤認成冷淡疏離，還因此抱怨她。

contrast: shyness vs standoffishness

同義詞
  • aloofness

    very close in meaning; slightly more about emotional detachment than cold politeness

  • reserve

    milder and often positive — quiet self-control rather than unfriendliness

  • coldness

    stronger and more clearly unfriendly; less about keeping a formal distance

反義詞
  • warmth

    open, friendly feeling shown toward others

  • friendliness

    the everyday opposite — being easy and welcoming with people

文法句型

the standoffishness of [someone]

用法筆記

Uncountable: it names a personal manner, so use it without 'a' and without a plural. Often paired with 'toward' to name the people kept at a distance.

常見錯誤

❌She showed many standoffishnesses.
✅She showed a lot of standoffishness.
💡it is uncountable, so it has no plural form.
❌He has a standoffishness about meeting people.
✅He has a certain standoffishness about meeting people.
💡without a softener like 'certain', the bare article sounds unnatural.