distant
word
/ˈdɪstənt/
DIS-tuhnt
/dˈɪstənt/
DIS-tuhnt
Definition
Far away in space or time. It can also describe someone who seems emotionally cold, not friendly, or not involved.
Usage & Nuances
Common in both literal and emotional contexts: 'a distant village', 'the distant past', 'a distant relationship'. For people, 'distant' often suggests emotional separation, while 'far' is more physical. It can also mean not closely related, as in 'a distant cousin'.
Spanish: distante - lejanoPortuguese (BR): distante - longePortuguese (PT): distante - longínquoChinese (Simplified): 遥远的 - 冷淡的Chinese (Traditional): 遙遠的 - 冷淡的Hindi: दूर - अलग-थलगArabic: بعيد - متحفظBengali: দূরবর্তী - অদূরবর্তী (মানসিকভাবে দূরে থাকা)Russian: далёкий - отстранённыйJapanese: 遠い - よそよそしいVietnamese: xa - lạnh nhạtKorean: 먼 - 냉담한Turkish: uzak - mesafeliUrdu: دور - غیر مانوسIndonesian: jauh - menjaga jarak
Example Sentences
The school is distant from my house.
basic
She looked distant during dinner.
basic
That happened in the distant past.
basic
Ever since he changed jobs, he's been a little distant.
natural
We're only distant relatives, but she still invites me every year.
natural
At first he seemed distant, but he's actually really kind once you know him.
natural