distance

[ˈdɪstəns]

distance Definition

• 1. the amount of space between two places or things
• 2. the fact of not being near in time or relationship

Using distance: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "distance" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

• Example

  The distance between New York and Los Angeles is about 2,800 miles.

• Example

  There was a distance of several years between their two meetings.

• Example

  The distance from the Earth to the Moon is about 238,855 miles.

• Example

  The distance between the two buildings is only a few feet.

distance Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms for distance

• space
• gap
• interval
• separation
• remoteness

Antonyms for distance

• proximity
• closeness

Idioms Using distance

• at a distance

  not close to someone or something

  Example

  He watched the parade from a distance.

• distance oneself from something

  to create emotional or physical separation from something

  Example

  She distanced herself from her former colleagues after the scandal.

• distance runner

  a person who runs long distances as a sport or for exercise

  Example

  He's a distance runner and has completed several marathons.

Phrases with distance

• keep one's distance

  to stay away from someone or something

  Example

  I try to keep my distance from people who are sick.

• go the distance

  to continue doing something until it is finished or until you have achieved what you wanted to achieve

  Example

  She's determined to go the distance and finish the race.

• distance learning

  a way of studying where lectures are broadcast or lessons are conducted over the internet, rather than students attending classes in person

  Example

  Due to the pandemic, many universities have switched to distance learning.

Origins of distance

from Latin 'distantia', meaning 'a standing apart'

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Summary: distance in Brief

The term 'distance' [ˈdɪstəns] refers to the amount of space between two places or things, or the fact of not being near in time or relationship. It can be used to describe physical measurements like 'The distance between New York and Los Angeles is about 2,800 miles,' or emotional separations like 'She distanced herself from her former colleagues after the scandal.' The phrase 'go the distance' means to continue doing something until it is finished or until you have achieved what you wanted to achieve.