adj · noun · 8 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
Pronunciation
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/ˈdɪstənt/
US:Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
rhymes with -ɪstənt
CMU ARPABET:D IH1 S T AH0 N T
Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.
1
adj
Meaning 1
Far off (physically, logically or mentally).
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Examples
We heard a distant rumbling but didn't pay any more attention to it. She was surprised to find that her fiancé was a distant relative of hers. His distant look showed that he was not listening to me.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: faraway
Antonyms: none provided
2
adj
Meaning 2
Emotionally unresponsive or unwilling to express genuine feelings.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Examples
Ever since our argument, she has been totally distant toward me.
Imported into a cable television system from a different market (and thus possibly incurring a copyright royalty).
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: not-comparable
Topics: broadcasting, media, television
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: local
4
adjective
Meaning 4
separated in space or coming from or going to a distance
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
distant villages
the sound of distant traffic
a distant sound
a distant telephone call
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: close
5
adjective
Meaning 5
far apart in relevance or relationship or kinship
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
a distant cousin
a remote relative
a distant likeness
considerations entirely removed (or remote) from politics
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: remote
Antonyms: close
6
adjective satellite
Meaning 6
located far away spatially
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
distant lands
remote stars
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: remote
Antonyms: none provided
7
adjective satellite
Meaning 7
separate or apart in time
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
distant events
the remote past or future
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: remote, removed
Antonyms: none provided
8
adjective satellite
Meaning 8
remote in manner
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
stood apart with aloof dignity
a distant smile
he was upstage with strangers
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: aloof, upstage
Antonyms: none provided
History
Etymology
Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *dwóh1 Proto-Indo-European *d(w)is- Proto-Italic *dis- Latin dis- Proto-Indo-European *steh2- Proto-Indo-European *-éh1ti Proto-Indo-European *-yeti Proto-Indo-European *-éh1yeti Proto-Indo-European *sth2éh1yeti Proto-Italic *staējō Proto-Italic *staēō Latin stō Latin distō Latin distānsder. Old French distantbor. Middle English distaunt English distant Inherited from Middle English distaunt, from Old French distant, from Latin distāns.
Across languages
Translations
149 source translations are retained for this English entry.