The difference between Distant and Outlying

When used as adjectives, distant means far off (physically, logically or mentally), whereas outlying means relatively remote from some central location.


Outlying is also noun with the meaning: a region relatively remote from a central location.

check bellow for the other definitions of Distant and Outlying

  1. Distant as an adjective:

    Far off (physically, logically or mentally).

    Examples:

    "We heard a distant rumbling but didn't pay any more attention to it. She was surprised to find that her fiancé was a distant relative of hers. His distant look showed that he was not listening to me."

  2. Distant as an adjective:

    Emotionally unresponsive or unwilling to express genuine feelings.

    Examples:

    "Ever since our argument, she has been totally distant toward me."

  1. Outlying as an adjective:

    Relatively remote from some central location.

    Examples:

    "The more outlying villages were never visited by their member of parliament."

  2. Outlying as an adjective:

    Located outside of some boundary or limit.

    Examples:

    "When the map was redrawn after the war, our cousin found herself living in outlying territory."

  1. Outlying as a noun:

    A region relatively remote from a central location.

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