noun

distance

DIHSTNS

noun

The amount of space between two points or places.

"The distance between the two cities is about 300 miles."

"They measured the distance from the house to the road."

A lack of closeness or warmth between people; emotional separation.

"There had been a growing distance between them for months."

verb

To keep oneself apart from someone or something, especially to avoid association with it.

"The senator quickly distanced himself from the scandal."

How to Use Distance

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishThe space between two points, or, more figuratively, emotional coldness or separation between people.

Common pairings

long distance keep a distance distance oneself from

Word Forms

distanced past tense, distances plural, distance plural, distanced plural, distances singular, distance singular, distanced singular, distancest singular, distancedst singular, distanceth singular

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The _____ between the two cities is about 300 miles.

Etymology

From Old French destance, from Latin distantia, from distare ("to stand apart"), from dis- + stare ("to stand").

Rhymes for distance

lance dance Nance rance Vance chance nuance trance stance glance prance fiance

See all rhymes for distance →