In 15 Seconds
- Describes a large physical gap between two people or places.
- Commonly used for relationships, phone calls, and athletic running.
- Implies a sense of separation or a significant journey.
Meaning
This phrase describes a significant physical gap between two points. It is most commonly used to talk about relationships where people live in different cities or long-distance travel.
Key Examples
3 of 6Talking about a partner
We are in a long distance relationship, but we FaceTime every night.
نحن في علاقة عن بعد، لكننا نتحدث عبر فيس تايم كل ليلة.
Discussing hobbies
She is a long distance runner and completes marathons regularly.
إنها عداءة مسافات طويلة وتكمل الماراثونات بانتظام.
Professional logistics
The company covers all long distance moving expenses for new hires.
تغطي الشركة جميع مصاريف الانتقال لمسافات بعيدة للموظفين الجدد.
Cultural Background
In the US, 'long distance' often refers to interstate relationships. Because the country is so large, it's very common for college students to be 'long distance' from their high school partners. The 'LDR' community is huge on platforms like Reddit and TikTok, where people share tips on 'closing the gap' (moving to be together). The term is often associated with 'OFWs' (Overseas Foreign Workers) who live long distance from their families for years to provide financial support. In the UK, even a 3-hour train ride can be called 'long distance,' whereas in the US or Australia, that might just be considered a 'long commute.'
The Hyphen Rule
If you can put 'a' or 'the' before the phrase and a noun after it, use a hyphen: 'A long-distance call.' If not, don't: 'The call was long distance.'
Don't use for height
Never use 'long distance' to describe how high a plane is flying. Use 'altitude' or 'high up.'
In 15 Seconds
- Describes a large physical gap between two people or places.
- Commonly used for relationships, phone calls, and athletic running.
- Implies a sense of separation or a significant journey.
What It Means
Long distance describes a space that isn't easily walkable or reachable in a few minutes. It implies a journey or a separation. You’ll hear it most often when people talk about love. It means your heart is in one city, but your partner is in another. It also applies to phone calls or travel. It’s about the miles that stand between two things.
How To Use It
You can use it as an adjective before a noun. Think of long distance relationship or long distance runner. You can also use it to describe a type of communication. Even though we have the internet, we still call them long distance calls. It’s a very flexible phrase. It fits into almost any sentence where space is the main topic.
When To Use It
Use it when you feel the weight of the miles. Use it when describing your friend who lives in Australia. Use it when you are training for a marathon. It’s perfect for social media captions about missing someone. It’s also great for professional settings when discussing logistics. If a client is in another country, they are long distance.
When NOT To Use It
Don’t use it for small gaps. If your friend lives two blocks away, that’s not long distance. That’s just nearby. Don't use it for emotional distance if the people are physically close. If you and your partner are fighting but in the same room, don't use this. Use distant instead. It’s strictly about physical geography and miles.
Cultural Background
In Western culture, the long distance relationship (or LDR) is a huge topic. There are thousands of blogs and apps dedicated to making them work. Historically, long distance was a technical term for expensive phone calls. Before the internet, calling another state cost a lot of money. Now, it’s more about the emotional effort of being apart. It represents both a challenge and a commitment.
Common Variations
You might hear people say the distance or going the distance. Going the distance means finishing something difficult, like a boxing match. You might also hear long-haul. This is usually for flights or truck drivers. But for relationships and general gaps, long distance remains the king of phrases. It’s simple, clear, and everyone understands the struggle.
Usage Notes
The phrase is very safe to use in all contexts. Remember to use a hyphen when it acts as an adjective modifying a noun (e.g., 'a long-distance relationship').
The Hyphen Rule
If you can put 'a' or 'the' before the phrase and a noun after it, use a hyphen: 'A long-distance call.' If not, don't: 'The call was long distance.'
Don't use for height
Never use 'long distance' to describe how high a plane is flying. Use 'altitude' or 'high up.'
LDR is king
If you're on Tinder or Bumble, you'll see 'No LDR' in many bios. It means they don't want a long-distance relationship.
Examples
6We are in a long distance relationship, but we FaceTime every night.
نحن في علاقة عن بعد، لكننا نتحدث عبر فيس تايم كل ليلة.
Standard use for romantic partners living apart.
She is a long distance runner and completes marathons regularly.
إنها عداءة مسافات طويلة وتكمل الماراثونات بانتظام.
Refers to endurance sports.
The company covers all long distance moving expenses for new hires.
تغطي الشركة جميع مصاريف الانتقال لمسافات بعيدة للموظفين الجدد.
Used in a business/benefit context.
Long distance sucks, I wish you lived next door!
المسافات البعيدة سيئة، أتمنى لو كنت تعيش في المنزل المجاور!
Very common informal expression of frustration.
Walking to the fridge feels like a long distance trip today.
المشي إلى الثلاجة يبدو وكأنه رحلة لمسافة بعيدة اليوم.
Hyperbole used for comedic effect.
Please be aware of additional charges for long distance calls.
يرجى العلم بوجود رسوم إضافية للمكالمات الخارجية.
Standard formal notice for services.
Test Yourself
Fill in the blank with 'long distance' or 'long-distance'.
They have been in a ________ relationship for two years.
Because it comes before the noun 'relationship', it needs a hyphen.
Which sentence is more natural for modern work?
I have a...
While 'long-distance' is for relationships and travel, 'remote' is the standard for work.
Match the term to its context.
Match the following:
LDR stands for Long Distance Relationship.
Complete the dialogue.
A: I'm moving to Tokyo, but my girlfriend is staying in London. B: Oh no, are you going to try to stay ________?
The phrase 'stay long distance' is the standard way to describe this situation.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Far vs. Long Distance
Practice Bank
4 exercisesThey have been in a ________ relationship for two years.
Because it comes before the noun 'relationship', it needs a hyphen.
I have a...
While 'long-distance' is for relationships and travel, 'remote' is the standard for work.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
LDR stands for Long Distance Relationship.
A: I'm moving to Tokyo, but my girlfriend is staying in London. B: Oh no, are you going to try to stay ________?
The phrase 'stay long distance' is the standard way to describe this situation.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsBoth are correct, but use the hyphen (-) when it's an adjective before a noun (e.g., long-distance runner).
It's more natural to say 'I live far away from my mom' or 'My mom and I live a long distance apart.'
It stands for Long Distance Relationship.
Usually, yes. If it requires a significant effort to visit (like a 2-hour drive), people call it long distance.
You can say 'long-distance commute,' but for working from home, 'remote' is much better.
It is neutral. You can use it in a business report or a text message.
A phone call to someone in a different area code or country.
The 'g' in 'long' is soft. It shouldn't sound like 'long-guh'.
Yes, it's very common to describe a friend you only see occasionally because they live far away.
Yes, when describing seeing something from far away, e.g., 'I saw the ship at a long distance.'
Related Phrases
go the distance
builds onTo complete a difficult task or stay in a relationship for a long time.
long-haul
similarOver a long distance, usually for flights or trucking.
remote
similarFar away or connected by technology.
close the gap
contrastTo move closer so you are no longer long distance.
