distant /ˈdɪstənt/ adjective Learner's definition of DISTANT
1
[more distant; most distant] : existing or happening far away in space : separated by space距离遥远的；远隔的 -
astronomers studying distant galaxies研究遥远星系的天文学家
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They visited all sorts of distant [=far-off] places.他们到各种偏远的地方游览过。
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He finished the race a distant second. [=he was the second person to finish the race but he was far behind the winner]他第二个跑完全程，但远落后于冠军。
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The town is about 30 miles distant. [=(more commonly) away]小镇在大约30英里以外。
2
always used before a noun,
[more distant; most distant] : far away in time : happening far in the past or far into the future遥远的；久远的 -
In the distant past, dinosaurs roamed the earth.在遥远的过去，恐龙曾徜徉于地球。
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The day I left home is now a distant memory.我离家的日子现在已经成了遥远的记忆。
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the distant future遥远的未来
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We're expecting major changes in the not too distant future. [=soon]我们期待着在不久的将来有大的变化。
3
always used before a noun,
[more distant; most distant] —
used to describe a relative who is not closely related to you远房的 — opposite close; compare immediate 4
: having to do with something that is not related to what is happening where you are or at the present time恍惚的；心不在焉的；渺茫的 -
His mind drifted to distant thoughts.他思绪游移，出现恍惚的念头。
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I remember when the restaurant's opening was nothing more than a distant possibility.我记得当时饭店开张的可能性近乎渺茫。
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She has a distant look in her eye. [=the look on her face shows that she is thinking about something that is not related to what is happening now]她显出心不在焉的神情。
5
[more distant; most distant] somewhat formal : not friendly or showing emotion冷淡的；不友好的 6
[more distant; most distant] : not like someone or something else不相似的 —
usually + from
the dim and distant past
chiefly British
: a time that is so far in the past it is difficult to remember遥远而模糊的过去