distant

adjective

DIS-tuhnt/ˈdɪstənt/

3 meanings of distant

1
adjective
Far away in space, time, or thought.
Like a tiny light you can barely see far across a dark field.
We could see distant mountains across the wide valley.
The sound of distant thunder kept her awake all night.
Similarfaraway
Oppositenear, close, nearby
Note
2
adjective
Cold and unwilling to show real feelings to other people.
Like a person standing behind a glass wall you cannot reach through.
Her father grew distant in the months after the divorce.
He seemed distant and barely spoke a word during dinner.
Similarcold, aloof, cool, reserved, remote
Oppositewarm, friendly, affectionate
Note
3
adjective
Brought into a local cable TV system from a different area's channels.
Like bringing in a TV channel from far away to show in your own town.
The cable company added a distant channel from a city two states away.
Viewers complained when the distant station was dropped from the lineup.
Oppositelocal
Note

Practice

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Origin

It came through Middle English and Old French from Latin "distāns".