remote
rih-MOHT
Remote (adjective) means Far away in distance; hard to reach. Example: “They live in a remote village accessible only by boat.”
adjective
1
Far away in distance; hard to reach.
"They live in a remote village accessible only by boat."
"The hikers reached a remote part of the mountain range."
"The cabin stands in a remote valley, many miles from the nearest shop."
2
Very small or unlikely, when talking about a chance or possibility.
"There is only a remote chance the flight will be delayed."
"The chances of finding my lost ring in the sand seem remote."
"Scientists say there is a remote possibility that the storm will change direction."
3
Emotionally distant or hard to connect with.
"He grew remote and quiet after the argument."
"Her father was a remote figure who rarely talked about his feelings."
"Even at dinner she seemed remote, staring past us as if we were not there."
verb
1
To connect to and control a computer or system from another location.
"IT support remoted into her laptop to fix the problem."
"Can you remote into the office computer and check the file for me?"
"The technician remoted in from another city and fixed the printer settings."
How to use remote
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishFar away — in place, in likelihood, or emotionally.
Common pairings
remote location
remote chance
remote control
remote work
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- remotes
- Past tense
- remoted
- Comparative
- more remote, remoter
- Superlative
- remotest, most remote
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
They live in a _____ village accessible only by boat.
Etymology
From Latin remotus, "moved back or away" — the past participle of removere, the same root that gives us "remove."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for remote
See all rhymes for remote →Frequently asked questions
What does “remote” mean?
The word “remote” means far away in distance; hard to reach. In plain terms, far away — in place, in likelihood, or emotionally.
How do you pronounce “remote”?
“Remote” is pronounced rih-MOHT ([ɹɪˈmoʊt] in IPA).
How do you use “remote” in a sentence?
Here is “remote” used in a sentence: “They live in a remote village accessible only by boat.”
What part of speech is “remote”?
Depending on how it is used, “remote” can be an adjective and a verb.
Where does the word “remote” come from?
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.".
Is “remote” a common word?
“Remote” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “remote” have?
“Remote” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: far away in distance; hard to reach.
What are the different meanings of remote?
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.
What is the difference between remote and rural?
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.
What is the opposite of 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.
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