éloignement

/e.lwaɲ.mɑ̃/
nounIntermediate
general

The state of being distant or separated in space or time.

Son éloignement prolongé a rendu les retrouvailles émouvantes.

His prolonged absence made the reunion emotional.

💡

Can refer to physical, emotional, or social distance.

general

The act of distancing oneself from something or someone.

Elle a choisi l'éloignement pour se protéger.

She chose to distance herself for protection.

💡

Often used in emotional or social contexts.

Collocations

éloignement géographiquegeographical distanceéloignement affectifemotional distanceprendre ses distancesto distance oneself

Synonyms

Antonyms

Related Phrases

prendre ses distancesphrase
to distance oneself
mettre de la distancephrase
to create distance

💡Pro Tip

Usage in Context

In formal contexts, 'éloignement' is often used to describe physical or emotional separation, while in informal contexts, it can refer to social distancing.

Gold Rule

Gender and Number

Always masculine ('l'éloignement') and singular in standard usage.

📖Word Origin

From the Old French 'eloignement', from 'eloigner' (to distance), from Latin 'elongare' (to lengthen).

📝Usage Notes

Can be used both literally (physical distance) and figuratively (emotional or social distance).

Word Breakdown

éloigner
to distance
root
+
-ment
action or state
suffix
Dictionnaire Français-Anglais