remote
B2Neutral, common across formal and informal registers. Technical usage (device) is also common.
Definition
Meaning
Far away in distance, time, or relation; distant.
Also refers to an electronic device for controlling equipment from a distance, and to a state of being isolated, aloof, or unlikely.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The adjective can describe physical distance, emotional/social detachment, or probability. The noun sense is a modern metonymy.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minor. Both use all senses. Slightly more common to see 'remote control' as a phrase in UK English for the device, while 'remote' alone for the device is standard in US.
Connotations
Similar across both. 'Remote' (adjective) can have a slightly negative connotation regarding personality or location ('a remote village' implies isolated, lacking amenities).
Frequency
Noun sense (device) is high-frequency in everyday contexts in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
be + remote + from + NP (The village is remote from any city)seem/become + remotefind + NP + remoteVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “in the remote past”
- “a remote chance/possibility”
- “not remotely (as in 'not remotely interested')”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Remote work, remote teams, remote access to servers.
Academic
Remote sensing (geography), remote origins (history), remote causes.
Everyday
Looking for the TV remote, living in a remote area, a remote chance of rain.
Technical
Remote device, remote administration, remote terminal.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- British English does not commonly use 'remote' as a verb.
American English
- American English does not commonly use 'remote' as a verb.
adverb
British English
- British English does not commonly use 'remote' as an adverb; 'remotely' is used.
American English
- American English does not commonly use 'remote' as an adverb; 'remotely' is used.
adjective
British English
- The cottage is in a remote part of the Scottish Highlands.
- There's a remote chance the train will be cancelled.
- She gave a remote, uninterested smile.
American English
- They moved to a remote cabin in Alaska.
- The prospect of success seemed remote.
- His manner was cold and remote.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I can't find the TV remote.
- My grandparents live in a remote village.
- The hotel was beautiful but very remote.
- Is there any remote chance you can come to the party?
- She felt remote from the celebrations, as if she were an observer.
- The company offers remote working options to its employees.
- The causes of the conflict lie in the remote past.
- He maintained a remote detachment from the political fray.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine RE-MOTing your car: you have to be far away to use the key fob. 'Remote' relates to being far off.
Conceptual Metaphor
DISTANCE IS DETACHMENT / LACK OF CONNECTION (e.g., 'He was remote during the meeting'). UNLIKELIHOOD IS DISTANCE (e.g., 'A remote possibility').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid confusing with 'удалённый' when it means 'dismissed' or 'fired'.
- The noun 'remote' (control) is often translated as 'пульт', not directly as 'ремоут'.
- In computing, 'remote desktop' is 'удалённый рабочий стол', but 'remote' alone might be misheard as a brand.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'remotely' incorrectly: 'I'm not *remote interested' (should be 'remotely').
- Overusing 'remote' for 'far' in simple contexts where 'distant' is better.
- Confusing 'remote' (unlikely) with 'rare' (uncommon).
Practice
Quiz
In which sentence does 'remote' mean 'unlikely'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Both are extremely common. As a noun (meaning 'remote control'), it is high-frequency in domestic contexts. As an adjective, it is common in descriptive and formal language.
'Distant' primarily refers to physical or metaphorical space. 'Remote' adds a stronger connotation of isolation, inaccessibility, or extreme distance. A 'distant town' might be far away; a 'remote town' is far away AND difficult to reach.
Yes, it describes someone who is emotionally detached, aloof, or withdrawn, e.g., 'He was being very remote after the argument.'
It's an emphatic adverb phrase meaning 'not at all' or 'not in the slightest', e.g., 'That is not remotely true.'