Word forms: comparative remoter, superlative remotest
1. adjective [usually ADJECTIVE noun]
Remote areas are far away from cities and places where most people live, and are therefore difficult to get to.
Landslides have cut off many villages in remote areas.
...a remote farm in the Yorkshire dales.
Synonyms: distant, far, isolated, lonely More Synonyms of remote
remotenessuncountable noun
...the remoteness of the island.
2. adjective [usually ADJECTIVE noun]
The remote past or remote future is a time that is many years distant from the present.
Slabs of rock had slipped sideways in the remote past, and formed this hole.
3. adjective
If something is remotefrom a particular subject or area of experience, it is not relevant to it because it is very different.
This government depends on the wishes of a few who are remote from the people. [+ from]
Teenagers are forced to study subjects that seem remote from their daily lives.
Synonyms: irrelevant, foreign, outside, removed More Synonyms of remote
remotenessuncountable noun
...the remoteness of the officers from their men.
4. adjective
If you say that there is a remote possibility or chance that something will happen, you are emphasizing that there is only a very small chance that it will happen.
[emphasis]
I use a sunscreen whenever there is even a remote possibility that I will be in thesun.
The chances of his surviving are pretty remote.
Synonyms: slight, small, outside, poor More Synonyms of remote
5. adjective
If you describe someone as remote, you mean that they behave as if they do not want to be friendly or closely involved with other people.
She looked so beautiful, and at the same time so remote.
remotenessuncountable noun
His remoteness was resented.
More Synonyms of remote
remote in British English
(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
Derived forms
remotely (reˈmotely)
adverb
remoteness (reˈmoteness)
noun
Word origin
C15: from Latin remōtus far removed, from removēre, from re- + movēre to move
remote in American English
(rɪˈmoʊt)
adjectiveWord forms: reˈmoter or reˈmotest
1.
distant in space; far off; far away
2.
far off and hidden away; secluded
3.
far off in (past or future) time
a remote ancestor
4.
distant in connection, relation, bearing, or the like
a question remote from the subject
5.
distantly related by blood or marriage
a remote cousin
6.
distant in human relations; aloof
remote and cold in his manner
7.
slight; faint
a remote chance
8.
not immediate or primary; far removed in influence
the remote causes
9. Computing
of or by means of a terminal, etc. located some distance away from the computer and therefore requiring a communication line
noun
10. Radio and Television
a usually live broadcast originating outside a studio
11.
remote control (sense 2)
SIMILAR WORDS: far
Derived forms
remotely (reˈmotely)
adverb
remoteness (reˈmoteness)
noun
Word origin
ME < L remotus, pp. of removere, to remove
Examples of 'remote' in a sentence
remote
Getting aid and assistance to remote areas is a huge challenge.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
I have superfast broadband in my remote village.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Then they jetted into the remote and beautiful town of Tromso on the Norwegian fjords.
The Sun (2017)
Unless it doesn't, which is more than a remote possibility.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
Many of the largest remaining untapped deposits lie in a remote area to the west of the Shetland Islands.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Yet very little work was done in anticipation of what was seen as the remote possibility of a British departure from the European project.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Like today, it’s something that can be used in schools, or by people who live in remote areas or people with special health conditions.
Smithsonian Mag (2017)
It said that the installation of fibre optic cables would be too expensive in remote areas.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
Ocean time is less remote and less predictable.
Oxenhorn, Harvey Tuning the Rig: A Journey to the Arctic (1990)
There are people in remote areas for whom the snow causes great difficulties.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
This leads her to that remote village by the river.
The Times Literary Supplement (2012)
In some remote areas a text message can prove more reliable than a phone call.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
But the chance of such an upset this time seems remote.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
It may be a little too remote for some people.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Most of these goods were traded to more remote villages.
Harris, Marvin Cultural Anthropology (1995)
His childhood home in a remote mining area is remembered as having lacked electricity.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
And it will not cease to be remote any time soon.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
They do not do it for money and most do not do it with the remotest chance of winning.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
But do we really have any idea what is happening in the most beautiful remote bits of our own backyard?
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
It should also slow the drain of young people from this remote and beautiful region in pursuit of a higher education.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
That is a very remote possibility.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
The owner seems intent on exploring one of the most remote and beautiful coastlines in Europe.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
For a monarch who does not carry cash, rail tickets are a fairly remote possibility.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
It's obviously a remote chance but we still are in rescue mode.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
He gradually shuffled out of our lives, becoming more remote and more distant.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
My worst experience was in a beautiful and remote part of northern Italy.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
All this is only a dream, or at best a remote possibility.
Dyson, Freeman Infinite in All Directions (1989)
Thus the importance of something as remote to us as the proper calculation of Easter comes into focus.
Christianity Today (2000)
We think as adults we are tougher, that something as remote and notional as a chat room cannot hurt us.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
The works look distant, remote, slightly warped.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
In other languages
remote
British English: remote /rɪˈməʊt/ ADJECTIVE
Remote areas are far away from places where most people live.
...villages in remote areas.
American English: remote
Arabic: بَعِيد
Brazilian Portuguese: remoto
Chinese: 遥远的
Croatian: udaljen
Czech: odlehlý
Danish: fjern
Dutch: ver
European Spanish: remoto
Finnish: kaukainen
French: lointain
German: entfernt
Greek: απομακρυσμένος
Italian: remoto
Japanese: 遠く離れた
Korean: 멀리 떨어진
Norwegian: fjern
Polish: odległy
European Portuguese: remoto
Romanian: izolat
Russian: отдаленный
Latin American Spanish: remoto
Swedish: långt borta
Thai: ไกล
Turkish: uzak
Ukrainian: віддалений
Vietnamese: xa xôi
All related terms of 'remote'
remote farm
A farm is an area of land, together with the buildings on it, that is used for growing crops or raising animals, usually in order to sell them.
remote access
Remote access is a system which allows you to gain access to a particular computer or network using a separate computer.
remote beach
A beach is an area of sand or stones beside the sea.
remote island
An island is a piece of land that is completely surrounded by water.
remote region
A region is a large area of land that is different from other areas of land, for example because it is one of the different parts of a country with its own customs and characteristics, or because it has a particular geographical feature .
remote sensor
any instrument, such as a radar device or camera , that scans the earth or another planet from space in order to collect data about some aspect of it
remote control
Remote control is a system of controlling a machine or a vehicle from a distance by using radio or electronic signals.
remote location
A location is the place where something happens or is situated.
remote sensing
Remote sensing is the gathering of information about something by observing it from space or from the air.
remote-controlled
A remote-controlled machine or device is controlled from a distance by the use of radio or electronic signals .
remote possibility
If you say there is a possibility that something is the case or that something will happen , you mean that it might be the case or it might happen.
remote job entry
the process of sending files and printing reports at high speeds on mainframe computers from remote workstations
Chinese translation of 'remote'
remote
(rɪˈməut)
adj
(= isolated)[place]遥(遙)远(遠)的 (yáoyuǎn de)
(= distant)[person]冷淡的 (lěngdàn de)
(= slight)[possibility, chance]微小的 (wēixiǎo de)
in the remote past在遥(遙)远(遠)的过(過)去 (zài yáoyuǎn de guòqù)
there is a remote possibility that ... ... 的可能性极小 ( ... de kěnéngxìng jí xiǎo)
to be remote from与(與) ... 无(無)关(關) (yǔ ... wúguān)
1 (adjective)
Definition
far from civilization
a remote farm in the hills
Synonyms
distant
far
people in far lands
isolated
Many of the refugee areas are in isolated areas.
lonely
dark, lonely streets
out-of-the-way
far-off
secluded
We found a secluded beach further on.
inaccessible
people living in remote and inaccessible parts of the country
faraway
They had just returned from faraway places.
outlying
Refugees are making their way into the town from outlying areas.
in the middle of nowhere
off the beaten track
backwoods
godforsaken
I don't want to stay in this God-forsaken country.
Opposites
close,
near
,
central
,
neighbouring
,
nearby
,
adjacent
,
just round the corner
2 (adjective)
Definition
distant in time
particular events in the remote past
Synonyms
far
distant
the war in that distant land
obscure
far-off
3 (adjective)
Definition
not relevant
subjects that seem remote from their daily lives
Synonyms
irrelevant
irrelevant details
foreign
a foreign language
outside
removed
outlandish rubbish, far removed from reality
alien
His work offers an insight into an alien culture.
unrelated
Two other detectives have been suspended in an unrelated matter.
unconnected
The knowledge turned in unconnected fragments in his head.
immaterial
Whether we like him or not is immaterial.
extraneous
Let's not allow ourselves to be sidetracked by extraneous questions.
extrinsic
the extrinsic conditions which affect relationships
Opposites
related
,
relevant
,
intrinsic
4 (adjective)
Definition
slight or faint
The chances of his surviving are pretty remote.
Synonyms
slight
It's only made a slight difference.
small
a diet of one small meal a day
outside
I thought I had an outside chance of winning.
poor
poor wages and terrible working conditions
A poor crop has sent vegetable prices spiralling.
unlikely
A military coup seems unlikely.
slim
a slim chance
faint
She made a faint attempt at a laugh.
doubtful
It seemed doubtful that he would move at all.
dubious
slender
the first slender hope of peace
meagre
a meagre 3% pay rise
negligible
implausible
It sounded like a convenient and implausible excuse.
inconsiderable
He was a man of great charm and not inconsiderable wit.
Opposites
good
,
strong
,
likely
,
considerable
5 (adjective)
Definition
(of a person's manner) aloof or abstracted
She looked so remote.
Synonyms
aloof
He seemed aloof and detached.
cold
He became cold and unfeeling.
removed
reserved
He was unemotional and reserved.
withdrawn
Her husband had become withdrawn and moody.
distant
abstracted
The same abstracted look was still on her face.
detached
The piece is written in a detached, precise style.
indifferent
People have become indifferent to the suffering of others.
faraway
introspective
uninterested
unhelpful and uninterested shop staff
introverted
uninvolved
unapproachable
I think a lot of people find dentists very unapproachable.
uncommunicative
standoffish
Opposites
interested
,
involved
,
aware
,
alert
,
outgoing
,
attentive
,
sociable
,
gregarious
Additional synonyms
in the sense of abstracted
Definition
lost in thought
The same abstracted look was still on her face.
Synonyms
preoccupied,
withdrawn,
remote,
absorbed,
intent,
absent,
distracted,
unaware,
wrapped up,
bemused,
immersed,
oblivious,
dreamy,
daydreaming,
faraway,
engrossed,
rapt,
absent-minded,
heedless,
inattentive,
distrait,
woolgathering
in the sense of alien
His work offers an insight into an alien culture.
Synonyms
strange,
new,
foreign,
novel,
remote,
unknown,
exotic,
unfamiliar,
estranged,
outlandish,
untried,
unexplored,
beyond your ken
in the sense of cold
Definition
lacking in affection or enthusiasm
He became cold and unfeeling.
Synonyms
distant,
reserved,
indifferent,
aloof,
glacial,
cold-blooded,
apathetic,
frigid,
unresponsive,
unfeeling,
passionless,
undemonstrative,
standoffish,
affectless,
phlegmatic,
spiritless
Synonyms of 'remote'
remote
Explore 'remote' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of detached
Definition
showing no emotional involvement
The piece is written in a detached, precise style.
Synonyms
objective,
neutral,
impartial,
reserved,
aloof,
impersonal,
disinterested,
unbiased,
dispassionate,
uncommitted,
uninvolved,
unprejudiced
in the sense of doubtful
Definition
unlikely or improbable
It seemed doubtful that he would move at all.
Synonyms
unlikely,
unclear,
dubious,
unsettled,
dodgy (British, Australian, New Zealand, informal),
questionable,
ambiguous,
improbable,
indefinite,
unconfirmed,
inconclusive,
debatable,
indeterminate,
iffy (informal),
equivocal,
inexact
in the sense of extraneous
Definition
not essential or relevant to the situation or subject being considered
Let's not allow ourselves to be sidetracked by extraneous questions.
Synonyms
irrelevant,
inappropriate,
unrelated,
unconnected,
immaterial,
beside the point,
impertinent,
inadmissible,
off the subject,
inapplicable,
inapt,
inapposite
in the sense of extrinsic
Definition
originating or acting from outside
the extrinsic conditions which affect relationships
Synonyms
external,
outside,
exterior,
foreign,
imported,
superficial,
extraneous
in the sense of faint
Definition
lacking clarity, brightness, or volume
She made a faint attempt at a laugh.
Synonyms
slight,
weak,
feeble,
unenthusiastic,
remote,
slim,
vague,
slender
in the sense of faraway
Definition
very distant
They had just returned from faraway places.
Synonyms
distant,
far,
remote,
far-off,
far-removed,
far-flung,
outlying,
beyond the horizon
in the sense of foreign
Definition
of, located in, or coming from another country, area, or people
a foreign language
Synonyms
alien,
overseas,
exotic,
unknown,
outside,
strange,
imported,
borrowed,
remote,
distant,
external,
unfamiliar,
far off,
outlandish,
beyond your ken
in the sense of godforsaken
Definition
desolate or dreary
I don't want to stay in this God-forsaken country.
Synonyms
desolate,
abandoned,
deserted,
remote,
neglected,
lonely,
bleak,
gloomy,
backward,
dismal,
dreary,
forlorn,
wretched
in the sense of immaterial
Definition
of no real importance or relevance
Whether we like him or not is immaterial.
Synonyms
irrelevant,
insignificant,
unimportant,
unnecessary,
trivial,
trifling,
inconsequential,
extraneous,
inconsiderable,
of no importance,
of no consequence,
inessential,
a matter of indifference,
of little account,
inapposite
in the sense of implausible
Definition
not easy to believe
It sounded like a convenient and implausible excuse.
Synonyms
improbable,
unlikely,
weak,
incredible,
unbelievable,
dubious,
suspect,
unreasonable,
flimsy,
unconvincing,
far-fetched,
cock-and-bull (informal)
Additional synonyms
in the sense of inaccessible
Definition
impossible or very difficult to reach
people living in remote and inaccessible parts of the country
Synonyms
out-of-reach,
remote,
out-of-the-way,
unattainable,
impassable,
unreachable,
unapproachable,
un-get-at-able (informal)
in the sense of inconsiderable
Definition
not worth considering
He was a man of great charm and not inconsiderable wit.
Synonyms
insignificant,
small,
slight,
light,
minor,
petty,
trivial,
trifling,
negligible,
unimportant,
small-time (informal),
inconsequential,
exiguous
in the sense of indifferent
Definition
showing no concern or interest
People have become indifferent to the suffering of others.
Synonyms
unconcerned,
distant,
detached,
cold,
cool,
regardless,
careless,
callous,
aloof,
unimpressed,
unmoved,
unsympathetic,
impervious,
uncaring,
uninterested,
apathetic,
unresponsive,
heedless,
inattentive,
not giving a monkey's (slang)
in the sense of isolated
Many of the refugee areas are in isolated areas.
Synonyms
remote,
far,
distant,
lonely,
out-of-the-way,
hidden,
retired,
far-off,
secluded,
inaccessible,
faraway,
outlying,
in the middle of nowhere,
off the beaten track,
backwoods,
godforsaken,
incommunicado,
unfrequented
in the sense of lonely
Definition
isolated and not much visited by people
dark, lonely streets
Synonyms
desolate,
deserted,
remote,
isolated,
solitary,
out-of-the-way,
secluded,
uninhabited,
sequestered,
off the beaten track (informal),
godforsaken,
unfrequented
in the sense of meagre
Definition
not enough in amount or extent
a meagre 3% pay rise
Synonyms
insubstantial,
little,
small,
poor,
spare,
slight,
inadequate,
pathetic,
slender,
scant,
sparse,
deficient,
paltry,
skimpy,
puny,
measly (informal),
scanty,
exiguous (formal),
scrimpy
in the sense of outlying
Definition
far away from the main area
Refugees are making their way into the town from outlying areas.
Synonyms
remote,
isolated,
distant,
outer,
provincial,
out-of-the-way,
peripheral,
far-off,
secluded,
far-flung,
faraway,
in the middle of nowhere,
off the beaten track,
backwoods,
godforsaken
in the sense of outside
Definition
remote
I thought I had an outside chance of winning.
Synonyms
remote,
small,
unlikely,
slight,
slim,
poor,
distant,
faint,
marginal,
doubtful,
dubious,
slender,
meagre,
negligible,
inconsiderable
in the sense of poor
Definition
lacking in (something)
poor wages and terrible working conditionsA poor crop has sent vegetable prices spiralling.
Synonyms
meagre,
inadequate,
insufficient,
reduced,
lacking,
slight,
miserable,
pathetic,
incomplete,
scant,
sparse,
deficient,
skimpy,
measly (informal),
scanty,
pitiable,
niggardly,
straitened,
exiguous
in the sense of removed
Definition
very different or distant
outlandish rubbish, far removed from reality
Synonyms
remote,
foreign,
outside,
alien,
irrelevant,
unrelated,
unconnected,
immaterial,
extraneous,
extrinsic
Additional synonyms
in the sense of reserved
Definition
not showing one's feelings
He was unemotional and reserved.
Synonyms
uncommunicative,
cold,
cool,
retiring,
formal,
silent,
modest,
shy,
cautious,
restrained,
secretive,
aloof,
reticent,
prim,
demure,
taciturn,
unresponsive,
unapproachable,
unsociable,
undemonstrative,
standoffish,
close-mouthed,
unforthcoming
in the sense of secluded
Definition
private and sheltered
We found a secluded beach further on.
Synonyms
private,
sheltered,
isolated,
remote,
lonely,
cut off,
solitary,
out-of-the-way,
tucked away,
cloistered,
sequestered,
off the beaten track,
unfrequented
in the sense of slender
the first slender hope of peace
Synonyms
faint,
slight,
remote,
slim,
thin,
weak,
fragile,
feeble,
flimsy,
tenuous
in the sense of slim
Definition
poor
a slim chance
Synonyms
slight,
remote,
faint,
distant,
fragile,
slender,
improbable,
negligible,
flimsy
in the sense of small
Definition
not large in size or amount
a diet of one small meal a day
Synonyms
meagre,
inadequate,
insufficient,
scant,
measly (informal),
scanty,
limited,
inconsiderable
in the sense of unapproachable
Definition
discouraging friendliness
I think a lot of people find dentists very unapproachable.
Synonyms
unfriendly,
reserved,
withdrawn,
distant,
cool,
remote,
chilly,
aloof,
frigid,
unsociable,
offish (informal),
standoffish
in the sense of unconnected
The knowledge turned in unconnected fragments in his head.
Synonyms
incoherent,
disconnected,
disjointed,
irrelevant,
meaningless,
illogical,
nonsensical
in the sense of uninterested
Definition
having or showing no interest in someone or something
unhelpful and uninterested shop staff
Synonyms
indifferent,
unconcerned,
apathetic,
bored,
distant,
listless,
impassive,
blasé,
unresponsive,
uninvolved,
incurious
in the sense of unlikely
Definition
not likely
A military coup seems unlikely.
Synonyms
improbable,
doubtful,
remote,
slight,
faint,
not likely,
unimaginable
in the sense of unrelated
Two other detectives have been suspended in an unrelated matter.