remote

The word “remote” means far away in distance; hard to reach. In plain terms, far away — in place, in likelihood, or emotionally.

“Remote” is pronounced rih-MOHT ([ɹɪˈmoʊt] in IPA).

Here is “remote” used in a sentence: “They live in a remote village accessible only by boat.”

Depending on how it is used, “remote” can be an adjective and a verb.

The word “remote” comes from Latin. From Latin remotus, "moved back or away" — the past participle of removere, the same root that gives us "remove.".

“Remote” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.

“Remote” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: far away in distance; hard to reach.

Remote most often means far away in distance and hard to reach, as in a remote village. It also means distant in relationship or likelihood, as in a remote possibility or a remote cousin. In modern usage it describes work done away from a central office, and as a noun it names a handheld control device.

Rural simply means relating to the countryside rather than towns or cities. Remote adds the sense of being far away and difficult to reach. A rural area can still be close to a city and easy to access, while a remote area is isolated and distant. All remote places are rural, but not all rural places are remote.

The opposite depends on the sense. For distance, the opposites are near, nearby, or close. For accessibility, it is accessible or central. When remote describes a slim chance, the opposite is likely or strong. And in the world of work, remote contrasts with on-site, in-office, or in-person.