distant

[ dis-tuhnt ]

adjective

1. far off or apart in space; not near at hand; remote or removed (often followed by from ):

   a distant place; a town three miles distant from here.

2. apart or far off in time:

   distant centuries past.

3. remote or far apart in any respect:

   a distant relative.

4. reserved or aloof; not familiar or cordial:

   a distant greeting.

   Synonyms: withdrawn, cool

5. arriving from or going to a distance, as a communication, journey, etc.:

   I have here a distant letter from Japan.

distant

/ ˈdɪstənt /

adjective

1. far away or apart in space or time
2. postpositive separated in space or time by a specified distance
3. apart in relevance, association, or relationship

   a distant cousin

4. coming from or going to a faraway place

   a distant journey

5. remote in manner; aloof
6. abstracted; absent

   a distant look

Derived Forms

• ˈdistantly, adverb
• ˈdistantness, noun

Other Words From

• distant·ly adverb
• distant·ness noun
• over·distant adjective
• over·distant·ly adverb
• quasi-distant adjective
• quasi-distant·ly adverb
• ultra·distant adjective
• un·distant adjective
• un·distant·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of distant¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English dista(u)nt, from Anglo-French, from Latin distant-, stem of distāns “standing apart,” present participle of distāre “to stand apart,” from di- di- ² + stāre “to stand”; stand

Word History and Origins

Origin of distant¹

C14: from Latin distāre to be distant, from dis- ¹+ stāre to stand

Example Sentences

With a high-ankle sprain a distant memory, Herbert’s running ability proved to be an early threat.

From Los Angeles Times

"Friends and neighbours became distant, afraid and accusing."

From BBC

Sopov and Rau were convicted of killing 53-year-old Eduard Kapkanets, his wife Tatiana, their adult sons with their wives, a nine-year-old granddaughter, a four-year-old grandson and a more distant relative of the family.

From BBC

KYIV, Ukraine — The war is never distant.

From Los Angeles Times

Thuc Nhi Nguyen’s pick: The Chargers are hitting their stride through the midway point of the season as Justin Herbert’s ankle injury becomes a distant memory.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• far
• far-flung
• far-off
• inaccessible
• isolated
• obscure
• remote
• removed
• secluded