Meaning & use
distancing
Last updated
“distancing” is a form of “distance”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
noununcountablemedical
The practice of keeping a safe physical space between people to reduce the spread of disease.
Grammar: Uncountable; often used in the phrase 'social distancing'.
Patterns
- social distancing
- physical distancing
- practice distancing
Social distancing helped slow the spread of the virus.
The school introduced strict distancing rules during the outbreak.
Experts recommended distancing and frequent hand-washing.
noununcountable
The act of becoming less involved or emotionally close to someone or something.
Grammar: Uncountable; often followed by 'from'.
Patterns
- distancing from someone
- emotional distancing
- a distancing effect
His distancing from his old friends worried his family.
The novel creates a distancing effect that makes readers think.
verbtransitive or intransitive
Present participle of 'distance': moving away from someone or something, physically or emotionally.
Grammar: Used after 'be' or as a participle: 'She is distancing herself from the scandal.'
Patterns
- distance oneself from something
- distance from something
She is distancing herself from the controversial decision.
The company is distancing its brand from the old image.
Word forms
| third person singular | distances |
|---|---|
| past tense | distanced |
| past participle | distanced |
| -ing form | distancing |
| plural | distances |
Common combinations
- social distancing
- Social distancing was required in all public places.
- physical distancing
- Physical distancing of two meters was advised.
- distancing from something
- The minister's distancing from the policy surprised everyone.
- emotional distancing
- Emotional distancing can harm close relationships.
- practice distancing
- People were asked to practice distancing in crowded areas.
Synonyms and how they differ
- isolation
- Isolation means being completely separated; distancing means keeping a certain space, not total separation.
- separation
- Separation is a general word for being apart; distancing specifically suggests keeping a measured space.
Opposites
Word family
Practice
Which sentence uses 'distancing' correctly?
Choose one answer.
'Distancing' is the -ing form and needs the auxiliary 'is'; the reflexive 'herself' comes after the verb. Option 2 has wrong word order, option 3 is missing 'is', and option 4 uses the base form 'distance' instead of the -ing form.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “distancing”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.