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distant

distant

adjective dees-TAHN Rare
Descriptions & Qualities Personality

Origin: Latin distans

Also means

aloof, standoffish

Usage Note

Distant describes both physical distance (un pays distant — 'a faraway country') and emotional aloofness (il est resté distant — 'he remained distant / cold'). The feminine form is distante; the final -t is silent. It is close in meaning to lointain (physical distance) and froid (emotional coldness), but distant carries both at once.

Examples

"Il semblait distant pendant toute la réunion."

Natural Translation

He seemed distant throughout the whole meeting.

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