Standard Lemma guide

self-distance

noun · 1 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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No pronunciation record was provided for this word.

1

noun

Meaning 1

The ability to critically reflect on oneself and one's relations from an external perspective.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: uncountable, usually

Examples

  • Ironic humor is an instance of the more general phenomenon of self-distance (Contemporary Philosophy of Social Science, By Brian Faypage, Page 33)

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *swé? Proto-Indo-European *selbh-der. Proto-Germanic *selbaz Old English self Old English self- Middle English self- English self- English distance English self-distance From self- + distance.

Across languages

Translations

2 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Finnish: itsekriittisyys — the ability to critically reflect on oneself
  • Swedish: självdistans — the ability to critically reflect on oneself