What does "removed" mean?

1. (took something away) the past tense of 'remove', used when you took something away from a place. 2. (distant or separate) separated from something else by space, time, or a different feeling. 3. (family generations) used to describe a cousin who is in a different generation than you.

How do you use "removed"?

As a verb, it requires a direct object indicating what was taken away. Commonly follows the word 'far' to emphasize distance or difference. Used after the cousin relationship (e.g., 'first cousin once removed') to indicate a generational gap.

removed

v. · adj.

US //ɹiˈmuvd// UK //ɹɪmˈuːvd// re·moved

1 took something away (v.)
A2 Elementary

the past tense of 'remove', used when you took something away from a place.

the simple past and past participle form of the transitive verb 'remove', indicating the act of taking something away or eliminating it.

Example

The waiter removed the empty plates from our table after we finished eating.

Example

The surgeon successfully removed the damaged tissue, ensuring that the surrounding healthy cells remained undisturbed during the procedure.

Usage

As a verb, it requires a direct object indicating what was taken away.
- added
- inserted
2 distant or separate (adj.)
B2 Upper Intermediate

separated from something else by space, time, or a different feeling.

separated or distant in space, time, or character; often used to describe a lack of connection to a situation.

Example

Living in the quiet countryside, she felt far removed from the noise of the city.

Example

The academic's theories seemed entirely removed from the practical realities faced by workers on the factory floor.

Usage

Commonly follows the word 'far' to emphasize distance or difference.
- connected
- involved

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3 family generations (adj.)
C1 Advanced Technical

used to describe a cousin who is in a different generation than you.

denoting a relationship of a certain number of generations apart.

Example

My mother's first cousin is my first cousin once removed.

Example

At the family reunion, he spent hours trying to map out how his second cousins once removed fit into the family tree.

Usage

Used after the cousin relationship (e.g., 'first cousin once removed') to indicate a generational gap.

Teacher's tip

This is a specific genealogical term; learners often find it confusing and should focus on the 'once' or 'twice' indicating the number of generations of difference.