Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular presenttense distances, present participle distancing, past tense, past participle distanced
1. variable noun
The distancebetween two points or places is the amount of space between them.
...the distance between the island and the nearby shore. [+ between]
Everything is within walking distance.
Geographical distance is also a factor.
Synonyms: space, length, extent, range More Synonyms of distance
2. uncountable noun
When two things are very far apart, you talk about the distance between them.
The distance wouldn't be a problem.
Synonyms: remoteness, farness More Synonyms of distance
3. adjective [ADJECTIVE noun]
Distance learning or distance education involves studying at home and sending your work to a college or university, rather than attending the college or university in person.
I'm doing a theology degree by distance learning.
4. uncountable noun
When you want to emphasize that two people or things do not have a close relationship or are not the same, you can refer to the distancebetween them.
[emphasis]
...the emotional distance between them.
There was a vast distance between psychological clues and concrete proof. [+ between]
The ruling party wants too put distance between itself and its predecessor.
5. singular noun
If you can see something in the distance, you can see it, far away from you.
We suddenly saw her in the distance.
Mr. Dambar found himself gazing into the distance for a moment or two.
6. uncountable noun
Distance is coolness or unfriendliness in the way that someone behaves towards you.
[formal]
There were periods of sulking, of pronounced distance, of coldness.
Synonyms: aloofness, reserve, detachment, restraint More Synonyms of distance
7. verb
If you distanceyourself from a person or thing, or if something distances you from them, you feel less friendly or positive towards them, or become less involved with them.
The author distanced himself from some of the comments in his book. [V pron-refl + from]
Television may actually be distancing the public from the war. [VERB noun + from]
distancedadjective [verb-link ADJECTIVE]
The party has become too distanced from working-class voters. [+ from]
8.
See at/from a distance
9.
See go the distance
10.
See keep one's distance
11.
See keep one's distance
distance in British English
(ˈdɪstəns)
noun
1.
the intervening space between two points or things
2.
the length of this gap
3.
the state of being apart in space; remoteness
4.
an interval between two points in time
5.
the extent of progress; advance
6.
a distant place or time
he lives at a distance from his work
7.
a separation or remoteness in relationship; disparity
8. geometry
a.
the length of the shortest line segment joining two points
b.
the length along a straight line or curve
9. the distance
10. horse racing
a. British
a point on a racecourse 240 yards from the winning post
b. British
any interval of more than 20 lengths between any two finishers in a race
c. US
the part of a racecourse that a horse must reach in any heat before the winner passes the finishing line in order to qualify for later heats
11. go the distance
12. keep one's distance
13.
the distant parts of a picture, such as a landscape
14. middle distance
15. (modifier) athletics
relating to or denoting the longer races, usually those longer than a mile
a distance runner
verb(transitive)
16.
to hold or place at a distance
17.
to separate (oneself) mentally or emotionally from something
18.
to outdo; outstrip
distance in American English
(ˈdɪstəns)
noun
1.
the fact or condition of being separated or removed in space or time; remoteness
2.
a gap, space, or interval between two points, lines, objects, etc.
3.
an interval between two points in time
4.
the length of a line between two points
the distance between Paris and Rome
5.
a remoteness in relationship; dissimilarity; disparity
the distance between wealth and poverty
6.
a remoteness in behavior; coolness of manner; reserve
7.
a remote point in space
away in the distance
8.
a faraway point of time
at this distance we cannot know Neanderthal man
9. Painting
the depicting of distance, as in a landscape
10. Horse Racing
a space that is a certain distance back from the finish line: in order to be qualifiedfor future heats, a horse must have reached this space by the time the winner has completed the course
verb transitiveWord forms: ˈdistanced or ˈdistancing
11.
to place or hold at some distance
12.
a.
to place (oneself) at an emotional distance from something
b.
to cause to be at a mental or emotional distance from an audience, reader, etc.
13.
to do better or more than; leave behind; outdo; outdistance
Idioms:
go the distance
keep at a distance
keep one's distance
Word origin
ME distaunce < OFr distance < L distantia < distans, prp. of distare, to stand apart < dis-, apart + stare, stand
More idioms containing
distance
within striking distance
within spitting distance
go the distance
COBUILD Collocations
distance
considerable distance
safe distance
Examples of 'distance' in a sentence
distance
This slightly shorter distance is in his favour.
The Sun (2016)
That was the first of two cracking efforts over this demanding course and distance.
The Sun (2016)
The irritations and the embarrassment are ironed away by distance.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
They can paddle faster but not for any great distance because it takes too much energy.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
She was caught a bit wide over course and distance last time but this race should set up better for her.
The Sun (2017)
It's also within walking distance of the ferry.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Now she is within touching distance of a place inside the world's top ten.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
It's an effective metaphor for the emotional distance between her old existence and her new one.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
It's all about distance to London.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Everyone's grown up and the realities of work, distance and fresh loyalties come into play.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Young people are distancing themselves from an image they are no longer comfortable with.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Showed improved form when winning over course and distance last time.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
There is an option for distance learning.
The Sun (2012)
Warfare conducted at long distances from home seems to be the most common reason for such absence.
Sanderson, Stephen K. Macrosociology: An Introduction to Human Societies (1995)
We desire space and distance from others.
Christianity Today (2000)
Use different clubs for the same distances rather than just going up or down a club.
The sound comes up and slowly fades away into the distance.
Clerk, Jayana & Siegel, Ruth Modern Literatures of the Non-Western World: Where the Waters Are Born (1995)
The short distance between the two houses suddenly became to look relevant.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
Yet there was also a distance between her and the other models.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
It may have been tempting to keep your distance emotionally to make your life more manageable.
The Sun (2012)
He drops in distance and may not have the race run to suit him.
The Sun (2016)
These can be local or over great distances.
Harris, Jean Everything You Need to Know for Success in Business (1990)
We retain the funeral rites but we have become distanced from their content.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
It was an endless battle on the gain line within breathing distance of the pack.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Your hips should face the wall at all times and your feet should remain hip distance apart.
Lycholat, Tony Shape Your Body, Shape Your Life (1987)
Traffic was at a standstill after an accident a short distance ahead.
The Sun (2010)
Work is the force used times the distance moved.
Chapman, C. & Horsley, M. & Small, E. Technology Basic Facts (1990)
Can she cover the short distance back to shore?
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
There were such long distances between places.
The Sun (2012)
The distance of time only increases the pain.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
You need to put some emotional distance between you.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
This term, he is within touching distance of surpassing that.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Quotations
'Tis distance lends enchantment to the viewThomas CampbellPleasures of Hope
Distance has the same effect on the mind as on the eyeSamuel JohnsonRasselas
In other languages
distance
British English: distance /ˈdɪstəns/ NOUN
The distance between two places is the amount of space between them.
...the distance between the island and the nearby shore.
American English: distance
Arabic: مَسافَة
Brazilian Portuguese: distância
Chinese: 距离
Croatian: udaljenost
Czech: vzdálenost
Danish: afstand
Dutch: afstand
European Spanish: distancia
Finnish: etäisyys
French: distance
German: Entfernung
Greek: απόσταση
Italian: distanza
Japanese: 距離
Korean: 거리
Norwegian: distanse
Polish: odległość
European Portuguese: distância
Romanian: distanță
Russian: расстояние
Latin American Spanish: distancia
Swedish: avstånd
Thai: ระยะทาง
Turkish: uzaklık
Ukrainian: відстань
Vietnamese: khoảng cách
All related terms of 'distance'
distance race
a race of a mile or more
long-distance
Long-distance is used to describe travel between places that are far apart.
mean distance
the average of the greatest and least distances of a celestial body from its primary
safe distance
The distance between two points or places is the amount of space between them.
skip distance
the shortest distance between a transmitter and a receiver that will permit reception of radio waves of a specified frequency by one reflection from the ionosphere
the distance
the most distant or a faraway part of the visible scene or landscape
distance runner
a participant in distance races or running
middle distance
If you are looking into the middle distance , you are looking at a place that is neither near nor far away .
object distance
the distance between the lens of a camera and an object being photographed
polar distance
the angular distance of a star, planet , etc, from the celestial pole ; the complement of the declination
social distance
the extent to which individuals or groups are removed from or excluded from participating in one another's lives
ultra-distance
covering a distance in excess of 30 miles, often as part of a longer race or competition
braking distance
the distance a vehicle travels from the point at which its brakes are applied to the point at which it comes to a stop
distance learning
a teaching system consisting of video , audio , and written material designed for a person to use in studying a subject at home
distance modulus
a measure of the distance , r , of a celestial object too far away to show measurable parallax . It is given by m – M = 5 log ( r /10), where m is its apparent magnitude ( corrected for interstellar absorption ) and M is its absolute magnitude
distance teaching
teaching via correspondence or the internet , where students are not physically present in a classroom
hailing distance
the distance within which the human voice can be heard
shouting distance
See hailing distance
spitting distance
a short space or distance
walking distance
a distance that is capable of being walked
considerable distance
The distance between two points or places is the amount of space between them.
go the distance
If you go the distance in a race or sports competition , you continue running or playing until the end of the race or match .
hyperfocal distance
the distance from a camera lens to the point beyond which all objects appear sharp and clearly defined
long-distance call
a call outside the local area
at/from a distance
If you are at a distance from something, or if you see it or remember it from a distance , you are a long way away from it in space or time.
keep at a distance
to be reserved or cool toward ; treat aloofly
keep one's distance
If you keep your distance from someone or something or keep them at a distance , you do not become involved with them.
middle-distance race
a race of a length between the sprints and the distance events, esp the 800 metres and the 1500 metres
the middle distance
an unspecified point in the distance
action at a distance
the supposed interaction of two separated bodies without any intervening medium . In modern theories all interactions are assumed to require a field of force
direct distance dialing
a service by which telephone subscribers can obtain long-distance calls by dialling direct without the aid of an operator
middle-distance runner
someone who runs races of a length between the sprints and the distance events, esp the 800 metres and the 1500 metres
within spitting distance
If one place is within spitting distance of another, they are very close to each other.
within striking distance
If you are within striking distance of something, or if something is within striking distance , it is quite near, so it could be reached or achieved quite easily .
long-distance relationship
A relationship is a close connection between two people, especially one involving romantic or sexual feelings.
focal length
the distance from the focal point of a lens or mirror to the reflecting surface of the mirror or the centre point of the lens
Chinese translation of 'distance'
distance
(ˈdɪstns)
n
(c/u) (between two places) 距离(離) (jùlí) (个(個), gè)
(u) (= remoteness) 遥(遙)远(遠) (yáoyuǎn)
(u) (frm, = reserve) 冷淡 (lěngdàn)
vt
to distance o.s. (from sb/sth)逐渐(漸)疏远(遠)(某人/某物) (zhújiàn shūyuǎn (mǒurén/mǒuwù))
in the distance在远(遠)处(處) (zài yuǎnchù)
from a distance从(從)远(遠)处(處) (cóng yuǎnchù)
what's the distance to London?到伦(倫)敦的距离(離)有多远(遠)？ (dào Lúndūn de jùlí yǒu duō yuǎn?)
to be some distance/quite a distance/a fair distance from sth (= far) 距离(離)某物相当(當)远(遠) (jùlí mǒuwù xiāngdāng yuǎn)
within walking distance步行可到 (bùxíng kě dào)
(at) a distance of 2 metres相距两(兩)米的距离(離) (xiāngjù liǎng mǐ de jùlí)
keep your distance!保持距离(離)！ (bǎochí jùlí!)
All related terms of 'distance'
long-distance
( journey, phone call ) 长(長)途的 chángtú de
from a distance
从(從)远(遠)处(處) cóng yuǎnchù
in the distance
在远(遠)处(處) zài yuǎnchù
a long-distance call
长(長)途电(電)话(話) chángtú diànhuà
keep your distance!
保持距离(離)！ bǎochí jùlí!
within walking distance
步行可到 bùxíng kě dào
at a discreet distance
保持一定恭敬的距离(離) bǎochí yīdìng gōngjìng de jùlí
triple the distance/size
三倍的距离(離)/尺寸 sānbèi de jùlí/chǐcùn
it's within walking distance
只有几(幾)步路 zhǐ yǒu jǐ bù lù
money/distance is no object
金钱(錢)/距离(離)不成问(問)题(題) jīnqián/jùlí bù chéng wèntí
what's the distance to London?
到伦(倫)敦的距离(離)有多远(遠)？ dào Lúndūn de jùlí yǒu duō yuǎn?
to be some distance/quite a distance/a fair distance from sth
( far ) 距离(離)某物相当(當)远(遠) jùlí mǒuwù xiāngdāng yuǎn
to distance o.s. (from sb/sth)
逐渐(漸)疏远(遠)(某人/某物) zhújiàn shūyuǎn (mǒurén/mǒuwù)
(at) a distance of 2 metres
相距两(兩)米的距离(離) xiāngjù liǎng mǐ de jùlí
1 (noun)
Definition
the space between two points or places
They measured the distance between the island and the shore.
Synonyms
space
They've come a long way in a short space of time.
length
It is about a metre in length.
extent
an estate about seven or eight acres in extent
range
The average age range is between 35 and 55.
stretch
It's a very dangerous stretch of road.
gap
the wind tearing through gaps in the window frames
interval
figures separated by intervals of pattern and colour
separation
span
The bridge has a span of 579 feet.
width
The width of the road has been increased to 20 ft.
2 (noun)
Definition
the state of being apart
The distance wouldn't be a problem.
Synonyms
remoteness
farness
3 (noun)
Definition
remoteness in manner
There were periods of distance, of coldness.
Synonyms
aloofness
reserve
I hope you'll overcome your reserve.
detachment
her professional detachment
restraint
indifference
his callous indifference to the plight of his son
stiffness
coolness
She seemed quite unaware of the sudden coolness of her friend's manner.
coldness
remoteness
frigidity
uninvolvement
standoffishness
phrasal verb
See distance yourself from something or someone
idiom
See go the distance
phrase
See in the distance
Quotations
'Tis distance lends enchantment to the view [Thomas Campbell – Pleasures of Hope]Distance has the same effect on the mind as on the eye [Samuel Johnson – Rasselas]
Additional synonyms
in the sense of coolness
She seemed quite unaware of the sudden coolness of her friend's manner.
Synonyms
unfriendliness,
reserve,
distance,
indifference,
apathy,
remoteness,
aloofness,
frigidity,
unconcern,
unresponsiveness,
frostiness,
standoffishness,
offhandedness,
lukewarmness,
frigidness,
reservedness,
uncommunicativeness,
unconcernedness
in the sense of detachment
Definition
the state of not being personally involved in something