removed
rih-MOOVD
Removed (adjective) means Separated by distance, time, or degree. Example: “He felt emotionally removed from the argument going on around him.”
adjective
1
Separated by distance, time, or degree.
"He felt emotionally removed from the argument going on around him."
"The farmhouse was removed from the nearest town by several miles of fields."
"The suburb feels far removed from the noise of the city."
2
Describing a relative from a different generation, as in "first cousin once removed."
"She's actually my first cousin once removed, not my cousin."
"Your mum's first cousin is your first cousin once removed."
"We are cousins twice removed, so we only meet at big weddings."
How to use removed
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSet apart, either in feeling/distance or in family generation.
Common mistake
"Once removed" in family terms means a generation apart, not "removed once from the family."
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more removed
- Superlative
- most removed
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He felt emotionally _____ from the argument going on around him.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for removed
See all rhymes for removed →Frequently asked questions
What does “removed” mean?
The word “removed” means separated by distance, time, or degree. In plain terms, set apart, either in feeling/distance or in family generation.
How do you pronounce “removed”?
“Removed” is pronounced rih-MOOVD (/ɹɪˈmuːvd/ in IPA).
How do you use “removed” in a sentence?
Here is “removed” used in a sentence: “The suburb feels far removed from the noise of the city.”
What part of speech is “removed”?
“Removed” is an adjective.
Is “removed” a common word?
“Removed” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the C1 level.
How many meanings does “removed” have?
“Removed” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: separated by distance, time, or degree.
What does 'once removed' or 'twice removed' mean in family terms?
In describing cousins, 'removed' marks a difference in generation. Your first cousin once removed is your first cousin's child, or your parent's first cousin — one generation apart. 'Twice removed' means two generations apart. The number of 'removes' simply counts the generational gap between the two relatives, not how distantly related they are.
What does 'far removed' mean?
'Far removed' describes something greatly separated from another thing in distance, time, character, or degree. If a modern city is 'far removed' from its rural past, the two feel very different and disconnected. The phrase stresses how distant or unlike something has become, rather than referring to mere physical space between places.
What is the difference between 'removed' and 'remote'?
Both suggest distance, but 'remote' usually describes physical or literal farness — a remote village, a remote chance. 'Removed' more often stresses separation in degree, relationship, or time, as in 'once removed' or 'far removed from reality.' Removed implies something was moved or set apart; remote simply means far off.
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