distance

/'distəns/
Học thuật
Thân thiện
distance

A child points to a mountain in the distance.

Definition
  1. Noun:

    • The amount of space between two points or things: "Distance" refers to the measurable length of the gap separating two locations or objects.
    • A point or area that is far away: "Distance" can refer to a remote place, often seen but not close.
    • The amount of time between two events: "Distance" can describe a separation or interval in time.
    • A state of being emotionally detached or reserved: "Distance" refers to a lack of emotional closeness or personal involvement.
  2. Verb:

    • To create a physical or emotional separation: "Distance" means to place or keep oneself or something away from another.
    • To outrun or leave far behind in a race or competition: "Distance" means to surpass others by a significant margin.
Usage Examples
  • Noun:

    • The distance from my house to the office is 10 kilometers. (The space between my house and the office measures 10 km.)
    • We saw mountains in the distance. (We saw mountains far away.)
    • Looking back after a distance of twenty years, my perspective has changed. (Looking back after a twenty-year interval, my view is different.)
    • His cold distance made it hard to connect with him. (His emotional detachment made connection difficult.)
  • Verb:

    • She tried to distance herself from the controversy. (She tried to separate herself emotionally from the controversial issue.)
    • The champion distanced all other runners by the final lap. (The champion left all other runners far behind by the final lap.)
Advanced Usage
  • "To keep one's distance": to maintain a physical or emotional separation.
    • He's unfriendly, so I prefer to keep my distance.
  • "At/from a distance": from a point that is far away.
    • The painting looks better from a distance.
  • "Go the distance": to complete a difficult task or endure until the end, especially in sports.
    • The boxer was determined to go the distance in the championship fight.
Variants and Related Words
  • Distant (adj): far away in space or time; emotionally remote.
    • She comes from a distant country. / He was polite but distant.
  • Long-distance (adj): covering a great distance.
    • They maintained a long-distance relationship.
Synonyms
  • Noun: Gap, interval, span, remoteness, aloofness.
  • Verb: Outstrip, outrun, separate, detach.
Related Phrasal Verbs
  • Distance oneself from: to deliberately become less involved or connected with someone or something.
    • The politician distanced himself from the scandal.
Related Idioms
  • Within spitting distance: very close to (a place).
    • We live within spitting distance of the park.
  • Within shouting distance: close enough to be called to; nearly achieving something.
    • Our team is within shouting distance of first place.
distance

A child points to a mountain in the distance.

Noun
  1. a remote point in time
    • if that happens it will be at some distance in the future
    • at a distance of ten years he had forgotten many of the details
  2. the interval between two times
    • the distance from birth to death
    • it all happened in the space of 10 minutes
  3. indifference by personal withdrawal
    • emotional distance
  4. size of the gap between two places
    • the distance from New York to Chicago
    • he determined the length of the shortest line segment joining the two points
  5. a distant region
    • I could see it in the distance
  6. the property created by the space between two objects or points
Verb
  1. go far ahead of
    • He outdistanced the other runners
  2. keep at a distance
    • we have to distance ourselves from these events in order to continue living