Words / B2

DIST-uh-nt/ˈdɪstənt/

Distant means far in space or time, or emotionally cold: a distant relative; a distant memory; a distant manner. Distance is the noun (already in the dictionary). Far is everyday; remote is close for places. A distant relative left a bursary. Do not write “distant of 10 km” — 10 km away / a distance of.

Meaning

Far away in space or time; also cold and unfriendly.

Examples

• “A distant relative left the bursary in her will.”
• “His tone was distant in the hearing, which is the unfriendly sense.”

Good to know

a distant relative / past / possibility. Noun: distance. Everyday: far. Places: remote. Manner: cold / distant. Trap: not “distant from 10 km”.

Near in meaning

remote

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