telecommute
TEL-ih-kuh-myoot
/ˈtelikəmjuːt/
To work from home or another remote location using telecommunications technology instead of traveling to an office.
Focuses on replacing physical travel with electronic data flow, emphasizing working offsite.
The story behind the word. Coined in 1973 by Jack Nilles, a former NASA engineer, during a project investigating ways to solve urban traffic problems. He combined Greek tele- ('far off') with commute to describe moving the work to the worker rather than the worker to the work.
Word relationships
- work remotely: 'Work remotely' is the broader contemporary phrase; 'telecommute' specifically emphasizes the elimination of the commute.
- telework: 'Telework' is an official government/corporate term synonymous with telecommuting.
- commute: Physically traveling between home and workplace.
Commonly confused with
- commute: 'Commute' involves physical movement; 'telecommute' substitutes physical travel with digital access.
Word family
- telecommuter (noun): A person who works remotely via telecommunications.
- telecommuting (noun): The practice of working remotely.
Collocations
- option to telecommute
- telecommute full-time
- telecommute program
- allowed to telecommute
Example sentences
- "Many companies now allow software engineers to telecommute three days a week." Modern work flexibility
- "The option to telecommute has drastically altered peak-hour travel patterns in major suburbs." Urban transit impact
Memory hook
TELE (distance/phone) + COMMUTE (daily travel): Travel through telephone/internet lines instead of highway lanes. Commuting via bytes, not bikes.
When not to use
Do not use for physical travel or for remote work that involves no electronic communication.
Fun facts
- When Jack Nilles coined 'telecommute' in 1973, personal computers didn't exist yet; he envisioned workers connecting to central mainframes via simple terminal modems over phone lines.
Related words
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