remote
Americanadjective
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far apart; far distant in space; situated at some distance away.
the remote jungles of Brazil.
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out-of-the-way; secluded.
a remote village;
a remote mountaintop.
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(of an electronic device or technical process) operating or controlled from a distance, as by remote control.
a remote camera.
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not direct, primary, or proximate; not directly involved or influential.
the remote causes of the war.
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slight or faint; unlikely.
The committee doesn't have the remotest idea of how to address the basic issue.
So with two games remaining, we actually have a remote chance of making the play-offs.
- Synonyms:
- doubtful
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noting or relating to work, schooling, or other activities that take place away from their usual place, site, or building: Teachers have distance learning lessons prepared in advance for weather emergencies that necessitate remote instruction.
The company allows remote work for freelancers, but full-time employees are expected to work on site.
Teachers have distance learning lessons prepared in advance for weather emergencies that necessitate remote instruction.
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reserved and distant in manner; not warmly cordial; aloof.
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far off; abstracted; removed.
principles remote from actions.
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distant in time.
remote antiquity.
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distant in relationship or connection.
a remote ancestor.
noun
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Radio and Television. a broadcast, usually live, from a location outside a studio.
adjective
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located far away; distant
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far from any centre of population, society, or civilization; out-of-the-way
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distant in time
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distantly related or connected
a remote cousin
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removed, as from the source or point of action
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slight or faint (esp in the phrases not the remotest idea, a remote chance )
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(of a person's manner) aloof or abstracted
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operated from a distance; remote-controlled
a remote monitor
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of remote
First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English, from Latin remōtus, past participle of removēre “to move back”; see remove, motion
Explanation
Remote describes something far, far away, like a campsite way out in the woods, a distant planet, or the chance you'll win the lottery. The Australian outback is remote, since it's hard to get to and there aren't many people there. It's also remote in the sense that it's far away from civilization. Someone with a faraway look in her eye, not answering your questions is also remote. Remote can describe something unlikely, like that lottery win. You might win, but your chances are so remote you shouldn't count on it.
Vocabulary lists containing remote
"Marriage is a Private Affair" by Chinua Achebe
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Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
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100 SAT words Beginning with "R"
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Fire crews did appear to turn a corner in their challenging battle on remote and rugged terrain on Tuesday.
From Los Angeles Times • May 20, 2026
They store it on remote servers owned by corporations.
From Slate • May 20, 2026
The first incident happened on Wednesday laste week when the team evacuated a German man who was described as "incapacitated" near the remote Rowchoish Bothy.
From BBC • May 20, 2026
The MV Hondius's voyage began on April 1 in Ushuaia, Argentina, taking in some remote islands in the South Atlantic Ocean before steaming north to Cape Verde.
From Barron's • May 18, 2026
He pushed the pause button on the DVR remote.
From "Mr. Lemoncello's Library Olympics" by Chris Grabenstein
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
