How to pronounce distant
Say it like DIS-tunt. Distant has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (DIS).
- DIS
- tunt
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Distant pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- DISSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- tuntKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of distant
American and British speakers say distant in essentially the same way: /ˈdɪstənt/ in the US and /ˈdɪstənt/ in the UK.
British respelling: DIS-tunt.
What does distant mean?
- Far off (physically, logically or mentally).
- Emotionally unresponsive or unwilling to express genuine feelings.“Ever since our argument, she has been totally distant toward me.”
- Imported into a cable television system from a different market (and thus possibly incurring a copyright royalty).
Where does distant come from?
Inherited from Middle English distaunt, from Old French distant, from Latin distāns.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Opposite meaning
Words that rhyme with distant
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of distant.
Questions about saying distant
How do you pronounce distant?
Say DIS-tunt. The American pronunciation is /ˈdɪstənt/. In British English it is /ˈdɪstənt/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in distant?
Distant has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (DIS). Broken into parts: DIS · tunt.
Do Americans and Brits say distant the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈdɪstənt/ and the British form is /ˈdɪstənt/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.