Distant - Meaning, Definition & English Examples
Distant means far away in space, time, or relationship. It can describe physical separation (e.g., a distant mountain) or emotional detachment (e.g., a distant friend). The word emphasizes remoteness or lack of closeness.
Definition:
Far away in space or time, not closely connected or familiar.
Synonyms:
remote, faraway, aloof, detached
Part of Speech:
adjective
Antonyms:
close, near, adjacent
Common Collocations:
distant relative, distant memory, distant horizon, distant future
Derivatives:
distantly, distance
Usage Tips:
Use "distant" to describe physical or emotional separation; avoid overuse for abstract concepts like time unless clarity is ensured.
Common Phrases:
distant cousin, in the distant past, keep a distant attitude
Etymology:
From Latin "distans," meaning "standing apart," derived from "dis-" (apart) + "stare" (to stand).
Examples:
- 1. The mountains looked distant in the morning haze.
- 2. She felt distant from her old friends after moving away.
- 3. The sound of thunder grew more distant as the storm passed.
- 4. His gaze was distant, as if lost in thought.