Distance

How to spell distance

8 letters · 2 syllables

How to pronounce distance

Say the part in capitals loudest.

What does distance mean?

1. nounThe amount of space between two points, places, or things.
2. verbTo put space between yourself and someone or something, often to avoid involvement.

Distance in a sentence

• noun

  The distance between the two towns is about forty miles.

• verb

  The company tried to distance itself from the failed project.

• noun

  She measured the distance from the wall to the window before ordering the blinds.

• verb

  He chose to distance himself from the argument by leaving the room.

Where does distance come from?

Language of origin: Latin

This word traces back to the Latin verb distare, meaning literally 'to stand apart', formed from dis- ('apart') and stare ('to stand'). From that verb came the noun distantia, the abstract quality of standing apart or being separated in space. English took the word in the early 1300s through Old French distance, at first describing both physical gaps and emotional or social remoteness between people. The same stare root quietly powers a large family of English words, including 'stable', 'state', 'station' and 'stance', all built on the idea of standing. Recognising that the middle is 'sta' (stand) rather than a vague vowel can help anchor the spelling, and the -ance ending follows the familiar pattern seen in 'instance' and 'substance'.

How the word is built

• dis- (apart)
• sta (from Latin stare: to stand)
• -ance (noun-forming suffix)