remotely
rih-MOHT-lee
Remotely (adverb) means From a distance, without being physically present. Example: “She controlled the drone remotely from her phone.”
adverb
1
From a distance, without being physically present.
"She controlled the drone remotely from her phone."
"Most of the team now works remotely."
"The technician fixed the faulty server remotely, without ever leaving his home."
2
Used with a negative to mean "even slightly" or "in the smallest way."
"He wasn't even remotely interested in the offer."
"I am not remotely tired, so let us keep walking."
"Nothing in the report was remotely surprising to anyone in the office."
How to use remotely
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishFrom far away, or (with "not") not even a little bit.
Common pairings
work remotely
not remotely interested
access remotely
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more remotely
- Superlative
- most remotely
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She controlled the drone _____ from her phone.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for remotely
See all rhymes for remotely →Frequently asked questions
What does “remotely” mean?
The word “remotely” means from a distance, without being physically present. In plain terms, from far away, or (with "not") not even a little bit.
How do you pronounce “remotely”?
“Remotely” is pronounced rih-MOHT-lee (/ɹɪˈmoʊtli/ in IPA).
How do you use “remotely” in a sentence?
Here is “remotely” used in a sentence: “She controlled the drone remotely from her phone.”
What part of speech is “remotely”?
“Remotely” is an adverb.
Is “remotely” a common word?
“Remotely” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the C1 level.
How many meanings does “remotely” have?
“Remotely” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: from a distance, without being physically present.
What is the difference between remotely and virtually?
Remotely specifically means from a distance, without being physically present, and is often used for work, access, or control, as in "working remotely." Virtually can mean almost or nearly, or can refer to something existing in a digital or simulated form, which overlaps with but is not identical to remotely. "Remotely" focuses on physical distance, while "virtually" focuses on near-completeness or digital existence.
Why is remotely often used with negative words like not or nothing?
Remotely is commonly paired with negatives to mean "even slightly" or "in the smallest way," as in "not remotely interested" or "nothing remotely similar." In this use it intensifies a negative statement rather than describing physical distance.
What is a common collocation using remotely in a work context?
A very common collocation is "work remotely" or "working remotely," meaning performing a job from a location away from a central office, typically using technology to stay connected.
