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remote

/rɪˈməʊt/
IELTSAcademic
adjective
  1. 1.

    Far away in distance, or not easy to reach. It can describe a place, village, area, or location.

    • They live in a remote village.
    • The hospital is in a remote area.
    • Remote islands are hard to visit.
  2. 2.

    Far away in time, feeling, or connection. It can also mean not closely related to something.

    • That seems like a remote possibility.
    • The event feels remote now.
    • She has a remote connection to the case.
  3. 3.

    Operating from a distance, usually by computer, phone, or internet.

    • I work from home in a remote job.
    • The team uses remote access.
    • Remote learning became common online.

Adinary Nuance

Remote is often more about distance than simply “far.” Compared with far, it feels more descriptive and formal, especially for places like remote villages or remote areas. Compared with isolated, it does not always suggest loneliness or separation from people. In business and tech, remote now often means working or controlling something from a distance.

In other languages

Vietnamese
xa xôi
Spanish
remoto
Chinese
偏远
Japanese
遠隔の
Korean
원격의

Etymology

Remote comes from Latin remotus, meaning “removed” or “set apart.” It entered English through French in the late Middle English period.

Common phrases

remote arearemote villageremote chanceremote work

Synonyms

Related words

Frequently asked questions

Is remote formal or informal?
Remote is neutral, but it often sounds a little formal in writing.
What is the difference between remote and far?
Far is more general. Remote usually suggests distance, difficulty of access, or weak connection.
Can remote mean working from home?
Yes. In modern English, remote often means working away from the office.
Is remote common in IELTS and academic writing?
Yes. It is common for describing places, risks, and possibilities.