English Reference

Word

remove

Phoneticsre·move, stress on the second syllable

US/ɹiˈmuv/

UK/ɹɪmˈuːv/

Definitions

01to take away

A2 · Elementary

v. to take something away from a place or to move it.

v. to take something away from a specific position or to shift it from one place to another. Transitive — requires a direct object.

“Please remove your shoes before you walk on the new carpet.”

“The surgeon carefully removed the damaged tissue to prevent the infection from spreading to the healthy parts of the limb.”

Synonyms

take awaydetachextract

Antonyms

02to get rid of

B1 · Intermediate

v. to eliminate something, like a stain or a problem.

v. to eliminate or get rid of something entirely, often something unwanted or problematic.

“This special soap will help you remove the ink stain from your shirt.”

“The new software update was designed to remove several security vulnerabilities that had been discovered by the engineering team.”

Antonyms

03to dismiss from a job

B2 · Upper Intermediate Law Formal

v. to force someone to leave their job or position of power.

v. to dismiss or discharge someone from an office or position of authority. Often used in legal or political contexts.

“The board of directors voted to remove the CEO after the scandal.”

“Under the current constitution, the president can only be removed from office if a two-thirds majority of the senate agrees.”

Synonyms

Antonyms

04to kill

C2 · Proficiency Slang

v. to kill someone, usually to stop them from causing trouble.

v. to kill or assassinate someone, typically as a means of eliminating a perceived threat or obstacle.

“In the movie, the spy was ordered to remove the double agent.”

“The dictator sought to remove any political rivals who might challenge his absolute control over the military.”

05distance or separation

C1 · Advanced Countable noun Formal · Literary

n. a distance or a step away from something else.

n. a degree of separation or distance in space, time, or relation; most common in the phrase 'at a remove'.

“It is easier to judge the situation at a remove of several years.”

“Watching the events unfold from a safe remove, the journalists were able to maintain a level of objectivity that those on the ground lacked.”

Antonyms

Etymology

From Middle English removen, from Anglo-Norman remover, removeir, from Old French remouvoir, from Latin removēre, from re- + movēre (“to move”), equivalent to re- + move. Displaced native Old English āfierran.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Word family

VERB

remove(A2)

ADJECTIVE

Domain

Cooking

This entry

Exam level
CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.A2 KeyIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.3.0–4.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 2.0–2.524–43TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.225–549
Frequency
Common
Level
A2 · ElementaryOxford
Updated

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English Reference