distance
the property created by the space between two objects or points
How often you will meet it
Rank 656 of 71,295 words measured. It occurs 29,102 times across 175,113 chapters — 0.014% of every word in the library.
It belongs to the first 1,000 words, the band worth learning before any other.
What it means
noun
- the property created by the space between two objects or points
- a distant region I could see it in the distance
- size of the gap between two places also: length the distance from New York to Chicagohe determined the length of the shortest line segment joining the two points
- indifference by personal withdrawal also: aloofness emotional distance
- the interval between two times also: space the distance from birth to deathit all happened in the space of 10 minutes
- a remote point in time if that happens it will be at some distance in the futureat a distance of ten years he had forgotten many of the details
verb
- keep at a distance we have to distance ourselves from these events in order to continue living
- go far ahead of also: outdistance, outstrip He outdistanced the other runners
distance in real books
Each sentence below was written by a published author and is taken from a different book in our library. Open one to read the passage it came from, with narration.
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After a little he returned within hailing distance.
The Riverman · Stewart Edward White · Chapter 1
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Right: you are the adamant shall draw her to you, though you keep distance off.
The White Devil · John Webster · Chapter 1
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They passed at a distance the Portuguese Isle of Madeira, lying like a cloud on the sea.
Under Drake's Flag · G. A. (George Alfred) Henty · Chapter 1
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This, she added, did not appear impossible, as it often flew about to some distance in the neighbourhood.
The Yellow Fairy Book: The Grateful Beasts · World Traditions (Celtic, Norse, Asian & Persian) · Chapter 1
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Afar, in twinkling distance lost, (So legends tell) he lonely wends And back through all that shining host His mandate sends.
John Marr and Other Poems · Herman Melville · Chapter 1