distant memory

USAGE SUMMARY

"distant memory" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is usually used to refer to a memory that happened a long time ago, often a fond memory that the speaker remembers fondly. For example, "My childhood summer vacations to the beach are now just a distant memory."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Reference

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Oceania seems a distant memory.

The Guardian - Sport

The summer will be a distant memory.

The New York Times

Those days are a distant memory.

The New York Times

My mind returned to a distant memory.

The New Yorker

The N.H.L. lockout seemed a distant memory.

The New York Times - Sports

That miracle now seems a distant memory.

The Economist

Street protests are a distant memory.

The Guardian - Sport

The drought seems a distant memory.

The New York Times

That beauty suddenly seemed a distant memory.

The New York Times

That's all a distant memory now.

The New York Times

But it was not a distant memory.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Employ this phrase in narrative writing to establish a chronological gap between the current moment and the events being described.

Common error

Avoid using "distant memory" for events that occurred very recently unless you are intentionally using hyperbole for comedic effect. Using it for something that happened yesterday can confuse the reader regarding your timeline.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "distant memory" typically functions as a noun phrase serving as a subject complement after linking verbs like 'be', 'become', or 'seem'. According to Ludwig AI, it is a standard and correct construction in English grammar. It modifies the concept of 'memory' with the adjective 'distant' to create a metaphorical measurement of time or emotional relevance.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Academia

10%

Reference

5%

Less common in

Science

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "distant memory" is a robust and evocative English expression that effectively captures the sensation of time passing. As highlighted by Ludwig AI, it is most frequently used in News & Media to describe events, crises or eras that have since concluded. Whether used literally to describe childhood or figuratively to describe a overcome hardship, the phrase carries a weight of resolution and change. Its high frequency in top-tier publications and its consistent grammatical application make it a reliable tool for any writer looking to contextualize the past within the present.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

remote recollection

Focuses on the mental act of recalling rather than the memory itself

faint memory

Emphasizes the lack of clarity or the weakness of the mental image

dim recollection

Implies a lack of 'light' or detail in the mental retrieval

fading reminiscence

Suggests a memory that is actively disappearing over time

ancient history

An idiomatic expression implying the event is no longer relevant

hazy impression

Suggests a general feeling rather than a specific factual memory

blurred image

A metaphorical way to describe a memory that lacks visual sharpess

bygone era

Refers to a period of time rather than a single specific memory

lingering echo

Suggests a memory that persists but is very soft or indirect

vague thought

Less specific than memory and implies less certainty

FAQs

How to use "distant memory" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe something that feels very far in the past, such as "The cold winter days are now just a "distant memory"."

What can I say instead of "distant memory"?

Depending on your context, you could use alternatives like "<a href="/s/remote+recollection" target="_blank" rel="alternative">remote recollection", "<a href="/s/faint+memory" target="_blank" rel="alternative">faint memory" or "<a href="/s/ancient+history" target="_blank" rel="alternative">ancient history".

What is the difference between "distant memory" and "remote memory"?

While both are similar, "distant memory" is more common in general literature and journalism, whereas "<a href="/s/remote+memory" target="_blank" rel="alternative">remote memory" is frequently used in psychological or neurological contexts to describe long-term recall.

Is "distant memory" formal or informal?

The phrase is considered neutral and is suitable for both formal writing and casual conversation. It appears frequently in prestigious news sources like The New York Times.