Distance

/ˈdɪst(ə)n(t)s/ noun, verb

noun, verb ·Very common ·Middle school level

Meaning at a glance

  • Primary sense: An amount of space between points (often geographical points), usually (but not necessarily) measured along a straight line.
  • Grammar: distance is listed as noun, verb.
  • Nearest alternatives: length, absolute displacement, absolute displacement magnitude, absolute value.
  • Useful contrasts: approximate, high affinity, icelandic nálægt.
  • Usage evidence: There is no distance on this earth as far away as yesterday.

How to use "distance"

  1. Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
  2. Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "distance" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
  3. Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.

Meaning check

  • Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
  • Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
  • Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
  • Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?

Source and review context

This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "distance" in a final draft.

If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.

Before you rely on this definition

Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "distance" as the right word for your sentence.

If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "distance" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.

Compare nearby meanings

  • Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
  • Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
  • Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
  • Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.

Definition decision workflow

1. Identify the role

Check whether "distance" is acting as noun, verb in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.

2. Test the nearest option

Compare it with "length" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.

3. Confirm with context

Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.

Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.

Final meaning check

Before publishing a sentence with "distance", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.

When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.

Definitions

Noun
  1. 1
    An amount of space between points (often geographical points), usually (but not necessarily) measured along a straight line. countable, uncountable

    "[S]he […] gaue vs into our boate our ſupper halfe dreſſed, pots, and all, and brought vs to our boates ſide, in which wee laye all night, remoouing the ſame a pretie diſtance from the ſhoare: […]"

  2. 2
    the property created by the space between two objects or points wordnet
  3. 3
    An amount of space between points (often geographical points), usually (but not necessarily) measured along a straight line.; Chiefly in by a distance: a space of more than 30 lengths (about 80 yards or 7.3 metres) between two racehorses finishing a race, used to describe the margin of victory; also (archaic), any space of 240 yards (about 219.5 metres) on a racecourse. countable, uncountable
  4. 4
    size of the gap between two places wordnet
  5. 5
    Chiefly in from a distance: a place which is far away or remote; specifically (especially painting), a more remote part of a landscape or view as contrasted with the foreground. countable, uncountable

    "VVhen from a Diſtance (I ſpeak vvith the Vulgar) vve behold great Objects, the Particles of the intermediate Air and Vapours, vvhich are themſelves unperceivable, do interrupt the Rays of Light, and thereby render the Appearance leſs Strong and Vivid; […]"

Show 26 more definitions
  1. 6
    indifference by personal withdrawal wordnet
  2. 7
    Chiefly with a modifying word: a measure between two points or quantities; a difference, a variance. countable, uncountable

    "angular distance    focal distance"

  3. 8
    a distant region wordnet
  4. 9
    An interval or length of time between events. countable, uncountable

    "VVe cannot tell, at this diſtance of time, vvhich Converſation vvas firſt, that vvith Phalaris, or that vvith Leon."

  5. 10
    the interval between two times wordnet
  6. 11
    A separation in some way other than space or time. countable, figuratively, uncountable

    "The friendship did not survive the row: they kept each other at a distance."

  7. 12
    a remote point in time wordnet
  8. 13
    Synonym of length (“an extent measured along the longest dimension of an object”). countable, obsolete, uncountable
  9. 14
    A disagreement, a dispute; also, an estrangement. countable, figuratively, obsolete, uncountable
  10. 15
    A difference in pitch between sounds; an interval. countable, obsolete, uncountable

    "[N]other perceaueth the concordaunt and diſcordante diſtaunces of ſoundes, and tunes […]"

  11. 16
    The amount of space between points (often geographical points), usually (but not necessarily) measured along a straight line. countable, uncountable

    "The distance to Petersborough is thirty miles."

  12. 17
    The amount of space between points (often geographical points), usually (but not necessarily) measured along a straight line.; The maximum amount of space between a boxer and their opponent within which the boxer can punch effectively. countable, uncountable
  13. 18
    The amount of space between points (often geographical points), usually (but not necessarily) measured along a straight line.; Often in go the distance, last the distance, or stay the distance: the scheduled duration of a bout. countable, uncountable
  14. 19
    The amount of space between points (often geographical points), usually (but not necessarily) measured along a straight line.; The amount of space between a fencer and their opponent, which the fencer tries to control in order to gain an advantage over the opponent. countable, uncountable

    "[William] Page. I haue heard the French-man hath good skill in his Rapier. / [Robert] Shal[low]. Tut ſir: I could haue told you more: In theſe times you ſtand on diſtance: your Paſſes, Stoccado's, and I knovv not vvhat: […]"

  15. 20
    The amount of space between points (often geographical points), usually (but not necessarily) measured along a straight line.; Originally, the space measured back from the winning post which a racehorse running in a heat must reach when the winner has covered the whole course, in order to run in a subsequent heat; also, the point on the racecourse that space away from the winning post; now, the point on a racecourse 240 yards from the winning post. countable, uncountable

    "THere vvere a Great many Brave, Sightly Horſes vvith Rich Trappings that vvere brought out One day to the Courſe, and Only One Plain Nag in the Company that made ſport for All the reſt. But vvhen they came at laſt to the Tryal, This vvas the Horſe that ran the VVhole Field out of Diſtance, and VVon the Race. / The MORAL. Our Senſes are No Competent Judges of the Excellencies of the Mind."

  16. 21
    The amount of space between points (often geographical points), usually (but not necessarily) measured along a straight line.; The amount of space between soldiers or cavalry riders marching or standing in a rank; also, the amount of space between such ranks. countable, uncountable
  17. 22
    The amount of space between points (often geographical points), usually (but not necessarily) measured along a straight line.; The complete length of a course over which a race is run. countable, uncountable
  18. 23
    Chiefly preceded by the, especially in into or in the distance: the place that is far away or remote. countable, uncountable

    "There was a little light / That twinkled in the misty distance: […]"

  19. 24
    The state of being separated from something else, especially by a long way; the state of being far off or remote; farness, remoteness. countable, uncountable

    "Some Figures monſtrous and miſ-ſhap'd appear, / Conſider'd ſingly, or beheld too near, / VVhich, but proportion'd to their Light, or Place, / Due Diſtance reconciles to Form and Grace."

  20. 25
    The entire amount of progress to an objective. countable, figuratively, uncountable

    "He had promised to perform this task, but did not go the distance."

  21. 26
    The state of remoteness or separation in some way other than space or time. countable, figuratively, uncountable

    "the distance between a descendant and their ancestor"

  22. 27
    The state of people not being close, friendly, or intimate with each other; also, the state of people who were once close, friendly, or intimate with each other no longer being so; estrangement. countable, figuratively, uncountable

    "For ſhe vvas ſought by ſpirits of ritcheſt cote, / But kept cold diſtance, and did thence remoue, / To ſpend her liuing in eternall loue."

  23. 28
    Excessive reserve or lack of friendliness shown by a person; aloofness, coldness. countable, figuratively, uncountable
  24. 29
    The rank to which an important person belongs. countable, figuratively, obsolete, uncountable

    "[T]o your eye, / Theſe (Madame) that vvithout your diſtance lie, / Muſt either miſt, or nothing ſeeme to be, […]"

  25. 30
    The state of disagreement or dispute between people; dissension. countable, figuratively, obsolete, uncountable

    "Macb[eth]. Both of you knovv Banquo vvas your Enemie. / Murth[erer]. True, my Lord. / Macb. So is he mine: and in ſuch bloody diſtance, / That euery minute of his being, thruſts / Againſt my neer'ſt of Life: […]"

  26. 31
    Often followed by to or towards: an attitude of remoteness or reserve which respect requires; hence, ceremoniousness. countable, figuratively, obsolete, uncountable

    "[T]hough you ſee / The King is kind, I hope your modeſty / VVill knovv, vvhat diſtance to the Crovvn is due."

Verb
  1. 1
    Often followed by from: to set (someone or something) at a distance (noun noun sense 1.1) from someone or something else. transitive

    "If therefore the Interpoſition of Gloceſterſhire diſtanceth VVorceſterſhire from confining on the VVeſt-Saxons, the Animadvertor ought to have vented his diſpleaſure not on Me, but on Bede, and [Henry of] Huntington, vvhoſe vvords I exactly tranſlated."

  2. 2
    go far ahead of wordnet
  3. 3
    To cause (a place, a thing, etc.) to seem distant, or (figurative) unfamiliar. transitive

    "That vvhich gives the Relievo to a Bovvl, (may ſome ſay to me) is the quick Light, or the vvhite, vvhich appears to be on the ſide, vvhich is neareſt to us, and the black by conſequence diſtances the Object: […]"

  4. 4
    keep at a distance wordnet
  5. 5
    To leave behind (someone or something moving in the same direction; specifically, other competitors in a race) some distance away; to outpace, to outstrip. transitive

    "Our fleeter steeds have distanced our attendants; / They lag behind us with a slower pace; / We will await them under the green pendants / Of the great willows in this shady place."

Show 10 more definitions
  1. 6
    To keep (someone) emotionally or socially apart from another person or people. figuratively, transitive
  2. 7
    To exceed or surpass (someone, such as a peer or rival); to outdo, to outstrip. figuratively, transitive
  3. 8
    To keep (oneself) away from someone or something, especially because one does not want to be associated with that person or thing. figuratively, reflexive, transitive

    "He distanced himself from the comments made by some of his colleagues."

  4. 9
    Of a racehorse: to beat (another horse) by a certain distance; also (passive voice), to cause (a horse) to be disqualified by beating it by a certain distance. US, archaic, transitive

    "[H]e is of Opinion it is inhuman, that Animals ſhould be put upon their utmoſt Strength and Metal for our Diverſion only. Hovvever, not to be particular, he puts in for the Queen's Plate every Year, vvith Orders to his Rider never to vvin or be diſtanced; […]"

  5. 10
    To cover the entire distance to (something). obsolete, transitive

    "The ſunne and all the ſtarres that do appear / She [Psyche] feels them in herſelf, can diſtance all, / For ſhe is at each one purely preſentiall."

  6. 11
    To depart from (a place); to leave (a place) behind. obsolete, transitive

    "[W]e heard the joyous voices sound louder and freer as they distanced the solemn precincts, scattering frolic and music through the town as they separated to their different homes."

  7. 12
    To indicate or measure the distance to (a place). obsolete, transitive

    "THe Hebrevvs diſtanced their places by ſeverall meaſures, ſome arbitrary, caſuall, and uncertain; others certain, as reduced to a conſtant ſtandard. Of the former vvas their meaſuring of land by paces, for vve read, vvhen David ſolemnly brought the Ark into Jeruſalem, vvhen he had gone ſix paces he offered oxen and fatlings."

  8. 13
    To set (two or more things) at regular distances from each other; to space, to space out. obsolete, transitive

    "In the deſign of a Colonnade, or ſingle Columns, the Inter-columns are tvvo diameters, as in the Portico of St. Maria Rotunda at Rome; and this manner of diſtancing the Columns is, by Vitruvius, call'd Syſtylos."

  9. 14
    Often followed by from.; To set oneself at a distance from someone or something else; to move away from someone or something. intransitive, reflexive
  10. 15
    Often followed by from.; To keep oneself emotionally or socially apart from another person or people; to keep one's distance. figuratively, intransitive, reflexive

    "When a family member goes outside of the family to deal with a problem, he or she distances from the family. The family therapist offers the family the opportunity to deal with problems in a way that will allow them to deepen their connections with each other. The therapist will not be able to accomplish this goal if various family members go outside the family to resolve their problems."

Synonyms

All synonyms
lengthabsolute displacementabsolute displacement magnitudeabsolute valuealienatealienated

Antonyms

approximatehigh affinityicelandic nálægtinformal tone

Example

"There is no distance on this earth as far away as yesterday."

Common questions

What does "distance" mean?

An amount of space between points (often geographical points), usually (but not necessarily) measured along a straight line.

What is a synonym for "distance"?

Common synonyms include: length, absolute displacement, absolute displacement magnitude, absolute value, alienate, alienated.

How do you use "distance" in a sentence?

There is no distance on this earth as far away as yesterday.

How do you pronounce "distance"?

Pronounced /ˈdɪst(ə)n(t)s/.

Etymology

From Middle English distance, distaunce, destance (“disagreement, dispute; discrimination; armed conflict; hostility; trouble; space between two points; time interval”), from Anglo-Norman distance, distaunce, destance, Middle French distance, and Old French destance, destaunce, distaunce (“debate; difference, distinction; discord, quarrel; dispute; space between two points; time interval”) (modern French distance), and directly from their etymon Latin distantia (“difference, diversity; distance, remoteness; space between two points”) (whence also Late Latin distantia (“disagreement; discrepancy; gap, opening; time interval”)), from distāns (“being distant; standing apart”) + -ia (suffix forming feminine abstract nouns). Distāns is the present active participle of distō (“to be distant; to stand apart; to differ”), from dis- (prefix meaning ‘apart, asunder; in two’) + stō (“to stand”) (ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *steh₂- (“to stand (up)”)). The verb is derived from the noun. Cognates * Middle Dutch distancie, distantie (modern Dutch distantie); Dutch afstand (“distance”, literally “off-stand, off-stance”) * German Distanz; German Abstand * Italian distanza * Portuguese distância * Spanish distancia

More for "distance"

Synonyms

Editorial Guides For "distance"

Further vs Farther: Distance vs Degree

Choose farther for physical distance and further for abstract extension, with modern usage notes.

Next best steps

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