Lift vs. Loft — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Urooj Arif — Updated on April 7, 2024
Lift involves raising something to a higher position, whereas loft refers to a large, adaptable open space, often in a building.
Difference Between Lift and Loft
Table of Contents
ADVERTISEMENT
Key Differences
Lift is the action of moving something or someone upwards, either physically or figuratively, highlighting the act of elevation. Loft, on the other hand, typically describes a spacious upper room or attic in a house, emphasizing the concept of space rather than motion.
When considering their applications, lift can be found in various contexts from physical lifting in everyday tasks to the lift force in aerodynamics, which allows airplanes to ascend. Loft is commonly associated with living spaces, particularly those converted from commercial or industrial buildings, offering a unique blend of residential and open-plan design.
The term lift is also used in the context of emotions or spirits, suggesting an improvement or elevation, such as "lifting one's spirits." Loft spaces, however, are valued for their architectural and aesthetic qualities, including high ceilings and large windows, which contribute to their appeal in urban living.
Technologically, lifts refer to mechanical devices designed to transport people or goods vertically within buildings, known as elevators in American English. Lofts, meanwhile, have evolved from their original purpose, often becoming desirable residential or studio spaces that retain industrial elements.
In sports, the concept of lift is integral to movements that involve raising or propelling objects upward, like in golf or weightlifting. Lofts, conversely, might be repurposed into recreational or creative spaces, emphasizing their versatility and adaptability to various uses.
ADVERTISEMENT
Comparison Chart
Definition
The act of raising or the force that elevates.
An upper room or floor in a building, typically used as a living space.
Contexts
Everyday tasks, aerodynamics, technology, sports.
Architecture, urban living, studio spaces.
Connotation
Elevation, improvement, transport.
Space, openness, adaptability.
Examples
Elevators, lifting one's spirits, lift force.
Converted warehouses, open-plan apartments.
Usage
Verbal and noun; describes actions and devices.
Noun; describes spaces and their functions.
Compare with Definitions
Lift
The study of the properties of moving air and the interaction with solid bodies in motion.
Aircraft design focuses on optimizing lift for better fuel efficiency.
Loft
An area used by artists or photographers as a place to work and sometimes live.
Her loft doubled as a studio space, filled with canvases and art supplies.
Lift
A device designed to transport people or goods vertically.
The building's new lift system significantly improved access.
Loft
An area not cluttered with buildings or structures, often within buildings.
The artist's loft boasted open space perfect for large installations.
Lift
The action or process of moving something or someone to a higher position.
He had to lift the heavy box onto the shelf.
Loft
The distinctive features and design of buildings or structures.
The loft's architectural qualities included exposed beams and brick walls.
Lift
The height to which something is elevated or to which it rises.
The elevator's smooth lift to the top floor impressed everyone.
Loft
A large, adaptable open space, often in a converted industrial building or warehouse.
They transformed the old factory into a modern loft apartment.
Lift
An improvement in emotional or spiritual mood.
The good news gave everyone a much-needed emotional lift.
Loft
A lifestyle characterized by residing in cities, often in unique or converted spaces.
Loft living is a popular trend among young urban professionals.
Lift
To direct or carry from a lower to a higher position; raise
Lift one's eyes.
Lifted the suitcase.
Loft
A loft is a building's upper storey or elevated area in a room directly under the roof (American usage), or just an attic: a storage space under the roof usually accessed by a ladder (primarily British usage). A loft apartment refers to large adaptable open space, often converted for residential use (a converted loft) from some other use, often light industrial.
Lift
To transport by air
The helicopter lifted the entire team to the meet.
Loft
A large, usually unpartitioned floor over a factory, warehouse, or other commercial or industrial space.
Lift
To revoke by taking back; rescind
Lifted the embargo.
Loft
Such a floor converted into an apartment or artist's studio.
Lift
To bring an end to (a blockade or siege) by removing forces.
Loft
A partial floor occupying part of the space below the ceiling of a larger, high-ceilinged room.
Lift
To cease (artillery fire) in an area.
Loft
A garret.
Lift
To raise in condition, rank, or esteem
Work that lifted her in the eyes of her colleagues.
Loft
A gallery or balcony, as in a church.
Lift
To uplift; elate
Your telephone call really lifted my spirits.
Loft
A hayloft.
Lift
To remove (plants) from the ground for transplanting.
Loft
The backward slant of the face of a golf club head, designed to drive the ball up off the ground.
Lift
To project or sound in loud, clear tones
Lifted their voices in song.
Loft
A golf stroke that drives the ball in a high arc.
Lift
(Informal) To steal; pilfer
A thief lifted my wallet.
Loft
The upward course of a ball driven in a high arc.
Lift
(Informal) To copy from something already published; plagiarize
Lifted whole paragraphs from the encyclopedia.
Loft
The thickness of a fabric or yarn.
Lift
To pay off or clear (a debt or mortgage, for example).
Loft
The thickness of an item, such as a down comforter, that is filled with compressible insulating material.
Lift
To perform cosmetic surgery on (the face, for example), especially in order to remove wrinkles or sagging skin.
Loft
To put, store, or keep in a loft.
Lift
(Sports) To hit (a golf ball) very high into the air.
Loft
To propel in a high arc
Lofted the ball into the outfield.
Lift
To pick up (a golf ball) to place it in a better lie.
Loft
(Nautical) To lay out a full-size drawing of (the parts of a ship's hull, for example).
Lift
To shoot or flip (a puck) so that it rises sharply off the ice.
Loft
To propel something, especially a ball, in a high arc.
Lift
To rise; ascend.
Loft
To rise high into the air.
Lift
To yield to upward pressure
These windows lift easily.
Loft
Air, the air; the sky, the heavens.
Lift
To disappear or disperse by or as if by rising
By afternoon the smog had lifted.
Loft
An attic or similar space (often used for storage) in the roof of a house or other building.
Lift
To stop temporarily
The rain lifted by morning.
Loft
(textiles) The thickness of a soft object when not under pressure.
Lift
To become elevated; soar
Their spirits lifted when help came.
Loft
A gallery or raised apartment in a church, hall, etc.
An organ loft
Lift
The act or process of rising or raising to a higher position.
Loft
(golf) The pitch or slope of the face of a golf club (tending to drive the ball upward).
Lift
Power or force available for raising
The lift of a pump.
Loft
(obsolete) A floor or room placed above another.
Lift
An organized effort or a flight transporting supplies or people by airplane; an airlift.
Loft
(transitive) To propel high into the air.
Lift
The extent or height to which something is raised or rises; the amount of elevation.
Loft
(intransitive) To fly or travel through the air, as though propelled
Lift
The distance or space through which something is raised or rises.
Loft
(bowling) To throw the ball erroneously through the air instead of releasing it on the lane's surface.
Lift
A rise or an elevation in the level of the ground.
Loft
(transitive) To furnish with a loft space.
Lift
An elevation of the spirits
The good news gave us a lift.
Loft
(transitive) To raise (a bed) on tall supports so that the space beneath can be used for something else.
Lift
A raised, high, or erect position, as of a part of the body
The lift of his chin.
Loft
Lofty; proud; haughty
Lift
A machine or device designed to pick up, raise, or carry something.
Loft
That which is lifted up; an elevation.
Eutychus . . . fell down from the third loft.
Lift
One of the layers of leather, rubber, or other material making up the heel of a shoe.
Loft
Pitch or slope of the face of a club (tending to drive the ball upward).
Lift
Chiefly British A passenger or cargo elevator.
Loft
Lofty; proud.
Lift
A ride in a vehicle given to help someone reach a destination
Gave my friend a lift into town.
Loft
To make or furnish with a loft; to cause to have loft; as, a lofted house; a lofted golf-club head.
A wooden club with a lofted face.
Lift
Assistance or help
Gave her a lift with her heavy packages.
Loft
To raise aloft; to send into the air;
Lift
A set of pumps used in a mine.
Loft
Floor consisting of a large unpartitioned space over a factory or warehouse or other commercial space
Lift
The component of the total aerodynamic force acting on an airfoil or on an entire aircraft or winged missile perpendicular to the relative wind and normally exerted in an upward direction, opposing the pull of gravity.
Loft
Floor consisting of open space at the top of a house just below roof; often used for storage
Lift
(ambitransitive) To raise or rise.
The fog eventually lifted, leaving the streets clear.
You never lift a finger to help me!
Loft
A raised shelter in which pigeons are kept
Lift
To steal.
Loft
Store in a loft
Lift
To source directly without acknowledgement; to plagiarise.
Loft
Propel through the air;
The rocket lofted the space shuttle into the air
Lift
To arrest (a person).
Loft
Kick or strike high in the air;
Loft a ball
Lift
(transitive) To remove (a ban, restriction, etc.).
Loft
Lay out a full-scale working drawing of the lines of a vessel's hull
Lift
(transitive) To alleviate, to lighten (pressure, tension, stress, etc.)
Lift
(transitive) to cause to move upwards.
Lift
To lift weights; to weight-lift.
She lifts twice a week at the gym.
Lift
To try to raise something; to exert the strength for raising or bearing.
Lift
To elevate or improve in rank, condition, etc.; often with up.
Lift
(obsolete) To bear; to support.
Lift
To collect, as moneys due; to raise.
Lift
(programming) To transform (a function) into a corresponding function in a different context.
Lift
(finance) To buy a security or other asset previously offered for sale.
Lift
To take (hounds) off the existing scent and move them to another spot.
Lift
An act of lifting or raising.
Lift
The act of transporting someone in a vehicle; a ride; a trip.
He gave me a lift to the bus station.
Lift
Mechanical device for vertically transporting goods or people between floors in a building.
Take the lift to the fourth floor.
Lift
An upward force, such as the force that keeps aircraft aloft.
Lift
(measurement) The difference in elevation between the upper pool and lower pool of a waterway, separated by lock.
Lift
A thief.
Lift
(dance) The lifting of a dance partner into the air.
Lift
Permanent construction with a built-in platform that is lifted vertically.
Lift
(figurative) An improvement in mood.
Lift
The amount or weight to be lifted.
What's the maximum lift of this crane?
Lift
The space or distance through which anything is lifted.
Lift
A rise; a degree of elevation.
The lift of a lock in canals
Lift
A liftgate.
Lift
(nautical) A rope leading from the masthead to the extremity of a yard below, and used for raising or supporting the end of the yard.
Lift
(engineering) One of the steps of a cone pulley.
Lift
(shoemaking) A layer of leather in the heel of a shoe.
Lift
(horology) That portion of the vibration of a balance during which the impulse is given.
Lift
Air.
Lift
The sky; the heavens; firmament; atmosphere.
Lift
The sky; the atmosphere; the firmament.
Lift
Act of lifting; also, that which is lifted.
Lift
The space or distance through which anything is lifted; as, a long lift.
Lift
Help; assistance, as by lifting.
The goat gives the fox a lift.
Lift
That by means of which a person or thing lifts or is lifted
Lift
A rise; a degree of elevation; as, the lift of a lock in canals.
Lift
A lift gate. See Lift gate, below.
Lift
A rope leading from the masthead to the extremity of a yard below; - used for raising or supporting the end of the yard.
Lift
One of the steps of a cone pulley.
Lift
A layer of leather in the heel.
Lift
That portion of the vibration of a balance during which the impulse is given.
Lift
A brightening of the spirits; encouragement; as, the campaign workers got a lift from the President's endorsement.
Lift
To move in a direction opposite to that of gravitation; to raise; to elevate; to bring up from a lower place to a higher; to upheave; sometimes implying a continued support or holding in the higher place; - said of material things; as, to lift the foot or the hand; to lift a chair or a burden.
Lift
To raise, elevate, exalt, improve, in rank, condition, estimation, character, etc.; - often with up.
The Roman virtues lift up mortal man.
Lest, being lifted up with pride.
Lift
To bear; to support.
Lift
To collect, as moneys due; to raise.
Lift
To steal; to carry off by theft (esp. cattle); as, to lift a drove of cattle.
He ne'er lift up his hand but conquered.
Lift
To try to raise something; to exert the strength for raising or bearing.
Strained by lifting at a weight too heavy.
Lift
To rise; to become or appear raised or elevated; as, the fog lifts; the land lifts to a ship approaching it.
Lift
To steal; also, to live by theft.
Lift
The act of giving temporary assistance
Lift
The component of the aerodynamic forces acting on an airfoil that opposes gravity
Lift
The event of something being raised upward;
An elevation of the temperature in the afternoon
A raising of the land resulting from volcanic activity
Lift
A wave that lifts the surface of the water or ground
Lift
A powered conveyance that carries skiers up a hill
Lift
A device worn in a shoe or boot to make the wearer look taller or to correct a shortened leg
Lift
One of the layers forming the heel of a shoe or boot
Lift
Lifting device consisting of a platform or cage that is raised and lowered mechanically in a vertical shaft in order to move people from one floor to another in a building
Lift
Plastic surgery to remove wrinkles and other signs of aging from your face; an incision is made near the hair line and skin is pulled back and excess tissue is excised;
Some actresses have more than one face lift
Lift
Transportation of people or goods by air (especially when other means of access are unavailable)
Lift
A ride in a car;
He gave me a lift home
Lift
The act of raising something;
He responded with a lift of his eyebrow
Fireman learn several different raises for getting ladders up
Lift
Raise from a lower to a higher position;
Raise your hands
Lift a load
Lift
Take hold of something and move it to a different location;
Lift the box onto the table
Lift
Move upwards;
Lift one's eyes
Lift
Move upward;
The fog lifted
The smoke arose from the forest fire
The mist uprose from the meadows
Lift
Make audible;
He lifted a war whoop
Lift
Annul by recalling or rescinding;
He revoked the ban on smoking
Lift an embargo
Vacate a death sentence
Lift
Make off with belongings of others
Lift
Raise or haul up with or as if with mechanical help;
Hoist the bicycle onto the roof of the car
Lift
Invigorate or heighten;
Lift my spirits
Lift his ego
Lift
Raise in rank or condition;
The new law lifted many people from poverty
Lift
Take off or away by decreasing;
Lift the pressure
Lift
Rise up;
The building rose before them
Lift
Pay off (a mortgage)
Lift
Take without referencing from someone else's writing or speech; of intellectual property
Lift
Take illegally;
Rustle cattle
Lift
Fly people or goods to or from places not accessible by other means;
Food is airlifted into Bosnia
Lift
Take (root crops) out of the ground;
Lift potatoes
Lift
Call to stop the hunt or to retire, as of hunting dogs
Lift
Rise upward, as from pressure or moisture;
The floor is lifting slowly
Lift
Put an end to;
Lift a ban
Raise a siege
Lift
Remove (hair) by scalping
Lift
Remove from a seedbed or from a nursery;
Lift the tulip bulbs
Lift
Remove from a surface;
The detective carefully lifted some fingerprints from the table
Lift
Perform cosmetic surgery on someone's face
Common Curiosities
Why are lofts desirable living spaces?
Lofts are sought after for their open floor plans, high ceilings, and unique blend of industrial and modern aesthetics.
What makes a space a loft?
A space is considered a loft if it has a large, open floor plan, often with high ceilings and located in a converted building.
Can the term lift have a negative connotation?
Generally, lift has a positive or neutral connotation, but context can shift its meaning, such as in "lifting" someone's belongings without permission.
Do lofts have to be in converted industrial buildings?
No, while traditional lofts are in converted buildings, modern constructions can also be designed with loft-like features.
Can loft be used in contexts outside architecture?
While primarily architectural, "loft" can metaphorically describe any open or spacious concept.
What is the main difference between lift and loft?
Lift refers to raising something to a higher position, while loft describes a spacious upper room or floor in a building.
How does the concept of lift apply in aerodynamics?
In aerodynamics, lift is the force that directly opposes the weight of an airplane, allowing it to stay airborne.
Is lift always related to physical movement?
No, lift can also refer to emotional elevation or improvement, such as "lifting one's spirits."
How do lifts work in buildings?
Lifts in buildings work by using a system of cables, pulleys, and motors to move a cabin vertically for transporting people or goods.
Are all lofts found in urban areas?
While commonly in urban settings, lofts can exist anywhere, including rural areas, if they meet the criteria for space and design.
Share Your Discovery
Previous Comparison
Acceptance vs. Trust
Next Comparison
Parenchyma vs. SclerenchymaAuthor Spotlight
Written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
