# distal

> English word · Adjective · IPA /ˈdɪs.təl/ · frequency rank #20,337

## Definitions
1. Remote from the point of attachment or origin.
2. Facing the wisdom tooth or temporomandibular joint on the same side of the jaw.
3. Far or farther from the speaker.

## Etymology
From distant + -al.

## Easily confused with
- **distant** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/distal-vs-distant)
- **dial** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dial-vs-distal)
- **dist** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dist-vs-distal)
- **dental** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dental-vs-distal)
- **dismal** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dismal-vs-distal)
- **dismay** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dismay-vs-distal)
- **dispel** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dispel-vs-distal)
- **digital** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/digital-vs-distal)

## Common misspellings (9)
`ddistal`, `disatl`, `disstal`, `distall`, `distla`, `disttal`, `ditsal`, `dsital`, `idstal`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/distal