socially distant

Physically spaced out

Socially distant describes maintaining physical space from others, especially to prevent disease transmission.

The term became ubiquitous during the COVID-19 pandemic: We stayed socially distant at the outdoor gathering.

It can also describe someone who keeps emotional distance from others, though this sense predates the pandemic usage.

Related

gated communities · loneliness · alone together · disconnectedness · contactless · no contact · isolation · exclusivity · estrangement · remote work · introversion · personal space · lockdown · alienation · segregation · caste systems · detachment · contact tracing

Opposites
physical proximity

socially distantclose together

In near proximity

side by side · shoulder to shoulder · near · elbow to elbow · up close

interpersonal warmth/connection

socially distantwarm

Moderately heated, or friendly

friendly · intimate · sociable · close-knit · close

gathering density

socially distantcrowded together

Compressed into limited space

packed in · crowded · crammed · congregated · clustered

Family

social, socially, sociable, sociably, sociability, society, societies, societal, socialism

Familiarity
Top 200,000
Profile
Known to kids · Used worldwide · Everyday, not technical · Rated G