remote
ri-MOHT
/rɪˈmoʊt/
Situated far from the main centers of population; distant.
Can imply isolation, but also peace and a lack of modern distractions.
The story behind the word. From the Latin 'remotus', the past participle of 'removere' (to move back or remove). It originally meant 'removed from one's presence' before evolving to describe places far from the 'center' of things.
Word relationships
- isolated: Suggests being completely cut off from others.
- secluded: Suggests being hidden away in a pleasant, private way.
- accessible: Easy to reach or enter.
- central: Located in the middle of an area or activity.
Commonly confused with
- distant: 'Distant' just means far away in space or time; 'remote' implies being far from civilization.
Word family
- remotely (adverb): From a distance; slightly.
- remoteness (noun): The state of being distant or isolated.
Collocations
- remote area
- remote village
- remote location
- remote possibility
Example sentences
- "The village was so remote that it took three hours of driving on dirt roads to reach it." Describing a location.
- "There is only a remote chance that the weather will clear up by tomorrow." Describing a possibility.
Memory hook
A 'remote' control lets you change the TV from a distance. Far from the center.
When not to use
Do not use for a place that is just 'far' but still in a city (like a distant suburb).
Fun facts
- The most remote inhabited place on Earth is Tristan da Cunha, an island in the South Atlantic.
- 'Remote' is also used in computing to describe a computer accessed via a network.
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