What does remote mean?
Remote describes something that is far away, isolated, only weakly connected, or controlled from a distance. It commonly refers to places, such as a remote village or region, and to activities carried out electronically from another location. In phrases such as a remote possibility or a remote chance, it means that something is slight or unlikely rather than literally distant. The adjective also has a figurative use for someone or something removed from direct involvement or ordinary experience. Its noun meaning, an informal term for a remote-control device, is established in modern usage, especially in the United States. Overall, remote conveys separation in space, time, relationship, probability, or practical control.
Far away in distance, time, or relationship; isolated or relatively little connected with a place or subject.
"They moved to a remote part of the country."
In expressions such as remote possibility and remote chance, the adjective means slight or unlikely.
A device used to operate or control another device from a distance.
"He picked up the remote and turned down the volume."
This noun is informal and is especially common in American English.
At or from a distance; in a way not directly connected or involved.
"The interview was conducted remotely."
Common in contemporary workplace and educational contexts.
To remove or separate from a place, group, or connection; to make remote.
"The policy effectively remotes the department from local decision-making."
This is a relatively uncommon formal or literary verb, and it is often used in the sense of making something less directly connected.
Used for devices that operate or control another device from a distance; the plural is common in informal English.
"The remotes were scattered across the coffee table."
Remote began as the past participle of remove: something removed from its original place could, over time, become far away.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does remote come from?
Remote comes from Latin remotus, the past participle of removere, meaning “removed” or “drawn away.” English borrowed the form in the early 16th century, initially with senses connected with removing or being taken away. It developed the modern meaning of distant or far off and later acquired figurative senses involving lack of closeness, connection, or likelihood. The root is shared by remove, removal, and removable.
Related word forms
How remote is actually used
In everyday usage, remote most often means geographically distant or operating from a distance. In expressions such as remote possibility, remote chance, and remote prospect, it means slight or unlikely. The noun remote is informal for a remote-control device.
Easily confused with remote
Remote is primarily an adjective meaning distant or operating from a distance, whereas remove is a verb meaning to take something away or move it elsewhere.
Remote describes something that is distant or disconnected, while removed can indicate that something has been taken away or that someone is personally distant or uninvolved.