distant
- 01 B1 Intermediate
far away in space or distance.
situated at a great distance in physical space.
Simple“The distant mountains were covered in snow even in the middle of summer.”
In context“From the peak of the hill, we could just make out the distant glimmer of the coastal lighthouse through the evening mist.”
- 02 B1 Intermediate
far away in the past or the future.
separated by a long period of time, either previously or in the future.
Simple“The events of that summer now seem like a distant memory.”
In context“While a colony on Mars remains a distant prospect, researchers are already developing the life-support systems required for such a mission.”
- 03 B2 Upper Intermediate
not friendly or not showing your feelings.
aloof or emotionally detached in manner; showing a lack of interest or warmth.
Simple“He has been very distant lately, and I think something is bothering him.”
In context“The manager remained distant during the negotiations, refusing to engage in the usual small talk that precedes a contract signing.”
- 04 B2 Upper Intermediate
related to you, but not closely.
describing a kinship or connection that is not immediate or close.
Simple“A distant cousin invited us to a family reunion in Scotland.”
In context“The historian discovered he was a distant relative of the very king whose reign he had spent decades studying.”
- 05 C2 Proficiency
describes a TV station from a different city or area.
referring to a broadcast signal or station originated outside the local market area.
Simple“The cable company provides several distant stations for an extra fee.”
In context“The legal dispute centred on whether the provider had the right to retransmit distant signals without paying additional copyright royalties to the original broadcasters.”
UsageUsually placed before the noun.
Synonymsout of marketAntonyms
Usage distant past · distant galaxies
“Every summer, we long for a much-needed break from daily life, dreaming of self-reinvention in some distant paradise.”
“Instead, astrobiologists think about the basic conditions that make life possible, and how we might determine whether distant planets meet those conditions.”
Inherited from Middle English distaunt, from Old French distant, from Latin distāns.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.