remote

[ri-moht]

adjective

remoter, remotest 

1. far apart; far distant in space; situated at some distance away.

   the remote jungles of Brazil.

   Antonyms: near, close

2. out-of-the-way; secluded.

   a remote village;

   a remote mountaintop.

   Synonyms: solitary, apart, removed, isolated

3. (of an electronic device or technical process) operating or controlled from a distance, as by remote control.

   a remote camera.

4. not direct, primary, or proximate; not directly involved or influential.

   the remote causes of the war.

5. 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

6. 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.

7. reserved and distant in manner; not warmly cordial; aloof.

   Synonyms: withdrawn, retiring, reticent

8. far off; abstracted; removed.

   principles remote from actions.

9. distant in time.

   remote antiquity.

10. distant in relationship or connection.

    a remote ancestor.

noun

1. Radio and Television.,  a broadcast, usually live, from a location outside a studio.

2. remote control.

remote

/ rɪˈməʊt /

adjective

1. located far away; distant

2. far from any centre of population, society, or civilization; out-of-the-way

3. distant in time

4. distantly related or connected

   a remote cousin

5. removed, as from the source or point of action

6. slight or faint (esp in the phrases not the remotest idea, a remote chance )

7. (of a person's manner) aloof or abstracted

8. operated from a distance; remote-controlled

   a remote monitor

Other Word Forms

• remotely adverb
• remoteness noun
• unremote adjective
• unremoteness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of remote¹

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English, from Latin remōtus, past participle of removēre “to move back”; remove, motion

Word History and Origins

Origin of remote¹

C15: from Latin remōtus far removed, from removēre , from _re- + movēre to move

Example Sentences

Cleanup was underway Wednesday in a wooded, remote area of Ventura County after about 420 gallons of crude oil inundated a waterway, officials said, and crews were working to beat the upcoming storm.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

He had joined two Telegram channels and posted that he was looking for remote work.

Read more on BBC

Lithuania last year passed legislation blocking manufacturers from countries deemed to pose a national-security threat—including China—from having remote access to larger solar installations.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Penelope and the Incorrigibles heard about their parents’ years in remote alpine villages, on the run from danger with baby Penelope in tow.

Read more on Literature

He went to the couch and sat down as his mother picked up the remote.

Read more on Literature

Related Words

• distant 
• far-flung 
• far-off 
• faraway 
• inaccessible 
• isolated 
• lonely 
• lonesome 
• obscure 
• outlying 
• private 
• secluded 
• unknown