ivory tower

UK: /ˌaɪvəriˈtaʊə^r/

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

ˈi•vo•ry ˈtow•er, n. [countable]

1. a place, situation, or attitude that is removed or kept apart from worldly, everyday, or practical affairs.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

i′vory tow′er, 

1. a place or situation remote from worldly or practical affairs:
   the university as an ivory tower.
2. an attitude of aloofness from or disdain or disregard for worldly or practical affairs:
   his ivory tower of complacency.
• translation of French tour d'ivoire, phrase used by C.A. Sainte-Beuve in reference to the isolated life of the poet A. de Vigny (1837)
i′vo•ry-tow′ered, i′vo•ry-tow′er•ish, adj. 
i′vo•ry-tow′er•ism, i′vo•rytow′er•ish•ness, n. 
i′vo•ry-tow′er•ist, i′vo•ry-tow′er•ite′, n. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

ivory tower noun

1. seclusion or remoteness of attitude regarding real problems, everyday life, etc
2. (as modifier): ivory-tower aestheticism

ˌivory-ˈtowered adjective