What does remotest mean?
Remotest means the most distant, whether the comparison concerns physical space, time, isolation, or degree. It is commonly used for a place that lies far from population centres or major routes, as in “the remotest village in the country,” and it can evoke isolation, seclusion, or an unusually difficult journey. The word may also identify the member of a group least connected with an event: “Her theory is the remotest possibility, but it cannot be dismissed.” As an adverb, remotest is the superlative of remotely and normally occurs in expressions such as “remotely connected” or “remotely possible.” Although its basic sense is geographical, remotest is also figurative, describing something far removed in time, relevance, or experience. It is especially effective when the place or subject in question is not merely far away but notably inaccessible, remote, or little known.
Farthest away in distance, time, or connection; most isolated or least closely associated.
"A research station was established in the remotest part of the island."
Commonly used both geographically and figuratively.
In the most remote manner or to the greatest possible distance; more generally, in the least connected or least likely way.
"The village is remotely connected to the national power grid."
This use is the superlative of remotely and is most often found in fixed expressions such as “remotely connected” and “remotely possible.”
The remotest place can be a pinpoint on a map yet still represent an entire way of life.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does remotest come from?
Remote comes through Old French from Latin remotus, a past participle meaning “removed” or “pulled away,” formed from removere, “to remove.” The same Latin root underlies English words such as remove, removal, and removable. The form remotest has followed the regular English pattern of forming the superlative by adding -est.
Related word forms
How remotest is actually used
Remotest is the standard superlative of both the adjective remote and the adverb remotely. In formal prose, “in the remotest region” is more usual than “in the most remote region,” though both are grammatical.