remote
gb/ɹɪmˈoʊt/ us/ɹɪmˈoʊt/
A2
English
~ 2700
Senses
0 senses
adjective
A2
property
1
Far away in distance
Far from towns, cities, or other people.
Usage pattern:
[something] is remote
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'remote' with 'removed' when talking about distance; 'removed' usually means taken away rather than far away.
Synonyms
distant (Very similar in meaning, but can also apply to time or relation, while 'remote' often emphasizes isolation.)
Antonyms
nearby (Describes something close in distance, opposite of 'remote' in this sense.)
Collocations
remote area
|remote village
|remote location
|remote island
|remote region
Themes
geography
|travel
|daily life
|space
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The village is located in a remote part of the mountains.
- We spent a week on a remote island with no internet access.
- Her cabin is in a remote forest far from the city.
Learner examples
- The farm is in a remote place.
- They live in a remote village.
- We went to a remote beach.
adjective
B1
property
2
Unlikely or improbable
Not likely to happen.
Usage pattern:
a remote chance/possibility that [clause]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes think 'remote' means 'controlled from far away' in this context; here it means 'unlikely'.
Synonyms
improbable (More formal term for unlikely; 'remote' here has a similar meaning but can sound slightly less absolute.)
Antonyms
likely (Indicates a high probability, opposite of 'remote' in this sense.)
Collocations
remote chance
|remote possibility
|remote prospect
Themes
probability
|opinions
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- There's only a remote chance of rain today.
- The possibility of winning the lottery is extremely remote.
- He has a remote prospect of getting the job.
Learner examples
- There is a remote chance we will win.
- It is remote that she will come.
- The chance of rain is remote.
Noun
A2
entity
3
Device for controlling from afar
A small tool you hold to control TV, music, or other machines from far away.
Common mistake:
Some learners confuse 'remote' (the device) with 'remote control'; both are correct, but 'remote control' is the full term.
Synonyms
controller (General term for a device that controls something; may not imply distance as strongly as 'remote'.)
Antonyms
manual control (Operating equipment directly rather than from a distance.)
Collocations
TV remote
|remote control
|lose the remote
Themes
technology
|daily life
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Can you pass me the TV remote?
- I can't find the remote for the air conditioner.
- The remote stopped working after I dropped it.
Learner examples
- I need the TV remote.
- Where is the remote?
- The remote is on the table.
adjective
B2
property
4
Cold or detached in manner
Not warm or friendly with people.
Usage pattern:
[someone] is remote (towards/from [someone])
Synonyms
aloof ('Aloof' often suggests intentional distance; 'remote' can be more neutral or unintentional.)
Antonyms
warm (Friendly and emotionally open, opposite of 'remote' here.)
Collocations
seem remote
|emotionally remote
Themes
emotions
|personality
|relationships
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She seemed remote during the meeting and barely spoke.
- His remote manner makes it hard to get to know him.
- Despite his fame, he was not remote and talked to everyone.
Learner examples
- My teacher is very remote.
- She is remote with strangers.
- He is kind but remote.
Grammar
Dictionary form
remote
IPA
GB/ɹɪmˈoʊt/
US/ɹɪmˈoʊt/
Syllables & stress
re - mote (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (mote)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: remote
- Comparative: remoter
- Superlative: remotest
Word family
Expressions
a remote possibility
1/ə ɹɪmˈoʊt pˌɑsəbˈɪləti/
fixed phrase
Very small chance of occurring
A very small chance that something will happen.
Examples
- There’s only a remote possibility that it will snow tomorrow.
- They have a remote possibility of winning the match.
in a remote area
1/ˈɪn ə ɹɪmˈoʊt ˈɛɹiə/
fixed phrase
Located far from towns or cities
In a place far away from cities or people.
Examples
- They built a cabin in a remote area.
- The school is in a remote area of the country.
in the remote future
1/ˈɪn ðə ɹɪmˈoʊt fjˈut͡ʃɚ/
fixed phrase
Far ahead in time
A time that is many years from now.
Examples
- It may happen only in the remote future.
- We might travel to other galaxies in the remote future.
remote control
1/ɹɪmˈoʊt kəntɹˈoʊl/
fixed phrase
Device for operating from afar
A small machine you hold to control another machine from far away.
Examples
- I need a new battery for the remote control.
- We use the remote control to change channels.