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.

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