# remote

/ɹiˈmoʊt/ (US) · /ɹɪmˈəʊt/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/remote
Updated: 2026-07-22

## Senses

### 1. far away

adjective · CEFR B1

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

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

- The family lives in a remote village in the mountains, far from any shops.
- The research station is located in a remote corner of the Antarctic, accessible only by specialized aircraft during the brief summer window.

### 2. a small chance

adjective · CEFR B2

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

For teachers: slight or unlikely in connection to a possibility or chance.

- There is a remote chance that it will rain today, but the sky is clear.
- The possibility of a peaceful resolution seemed remote after both parties refused to attend the preliminary negotiations.

### 3. unfriendly

adjective · CEFR C1 · Formal

not showing much emotion or interest in other people.

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

- He seemed very remote during the meeting, as if he was thinking about something else.
- Despite her professional success, colleagues often found her remote and difficult to engage in casual conversation.

### 4. TV controller

noun · CEFR B1

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

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

- I can't find the remote, so I can't turn the volume down.
- The universal remote allows the user to manage the television, sound system, and lighting from a single interface.

### 5. online code storage

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

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

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

- After finishing my work, I pushed the code to the remote so my team could see it.
- Before merging the new features, the developer had to fetch the latest updates from the remote to ensure there were no conflicts.

### 6. to connect from afar

verb · CEFR C1 · Technical

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

For teachers: to access a computer system or network from a distant location.

- I had to remote into my office computer to get the files I forgot.
- The IT department can remote into your workstation to fix software issues without needing to visit your desk.

Usage: often used with 'into'

## Examples

- I can't find the remote to change the channel.
- The hotel guest used the remote to adjust the air conditioning without getting out of bed.
- While modern smartphones can function as universal controllers, most users still prefer the tactile feedback of a dedicated remote for navigating complex television menus.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.