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REFERENCE

remote

adj. · n. · v.
US //ɹiˈmoʊt// UK //ɹɪmˈəʊt// re·mote
  1. 1 far away (adj.)
    B1 Intermediate

    far away from where other people live or from a main city.

    situated far from the main centres of population; distant or secluded.

    Example

    The family lives in a remote village in the mountains, far from any shops.

    Example

    The research station is located in a remote corner of the Antarctic, accessible only by specialized aircraft during the brief summer window.
  2. 2 a small chance (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    very small or unlikely, usually when talking about a possibility.

    slight or unlikely in connection to a possibility or chance.

    Example

    There is a remote chance that it will rain today, but the sky is clear.

    Example

    The possibility of a peaceful resolution seemed remote after both parties refused to attend the preliminary negotiations.
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  1. 3 unfriendly (adj.)
    C1 Advanced Formal

    not showing much emotion or interest in other people.

    aloof or emotionally detached in manner; showing a lack of empathy or connection.

    Example

    He seemed very remote during the meeting, as if he was thinking about something else.

    Example

    Despite her professional success, colleagues often found her remote and difficult to engage in casual conversation.
  2. 4 TV controller (n.)
    B1 Intermediate

    a small device you use to control a TV or other machine from a distance.

    a handheld electronic device used to operate equipment, such as a television, from a short distance.

    Example

    I can't find the remote, so I can't turn the volume down.

    Example

    The universal remote allows the user to manage the television, sound system, and lighting from a single interface.
    • remote control
    • clicker
  3. 5 online code storage (n.)
    C1 Advanced Technical Computing

    a place on the internet where computer code is kept, rather than on your own computer.

    a version of a project or repository hosted on the internet or another network.

    Example

    After finishing my work, I pushed the code to the remote so my team could see it.

    Example

    Before merging the new features, the developer had to fetch the latest updates from the remote to ensure there were no conflicts.
  4. 6 to connect from afar (v.)
    C1 Advanced Technical Computing

    to connect to a computer or a meeting from a different place using the internet.

    to access a computer system or network from a distant location.

    Example

    I had to remote into my office computer to get the files I forgot.

    Example

    The IT department can remote into your workstation to fix software issues without needing to visit your desk.

    Usage

    often used with 'into'
Origin

From Middle English remote, from Old French remot, masculine, remote, feminine, from Latin remotus, past participle of removere (“to remove”), from re- + movere (“to move”).

Word family

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