Distant bird call over lake (4)
I believe the answer is:
cool
'distant' is the definition.
(similar in meaning)
'bird call over lake' is the wordplay.
'bird call' becomes 'coo' (I've seen this in another clue).
'over' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other) (in a down clue, some letters go over others).
'lake' becomes 'L' (geographical abbreviation).
'coo'+'l'='COOL'
(Other definitions for cool that I've seen before include "Rain heavily (colloq.)" , "Chilled" , "Calm; chilly" , "Neither warm nor very cold" , "Excellent; not excited" .)