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Definition of distant

distant

/ˈdɪs.tənt/
dis · tant
Adverb:distantly
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distant Lexical Profile

distant Game Scores & Validity

• adjective

1

Far away in space or time; located at a great distance.

Example

"Astronomers used a high-powered telescope to observe the light from a distant galaxy."

2

Not intimate or warm in manner; reserved, aloof, or preoccupied.

Example

"He seemed unusually distant during the dinner conversation, as if his mind were elsewhere."

3

Not closely related by blood, family ties, or similarity.

Example

"She inherited the antique pocket watch from a distant cousin living in Scotland."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• Rhymes for distant

• Nearby Words

dissuade
dissuader
distance
distant
distantly
distaste
distasteful

Word Origin & Etymology

Borrowed in the late 14th century from Old French distant and directly from Latin distantem, the present participle of distare ('to stand apart, be separate'), formed from dis- ('apart') and stare ('to stand').

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Distant. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/distant
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