remove
- 01 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.
Simple“Please remove your shoes before you walk on the new carpet.”
In context“The surgeon carefully removed the damaged tissue to prevent the infection from spreading to the healthy parts of the limb.”
- 02 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.
Simple“This special soap will help you remove the ink stain from your shirt.”
In context“The new software update was designed to remove several security vulnerabilities that had been discovered by the engineering team.”
- 03 B2 Upper Intermediate
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.
Simple“The board of directors voted to remove the CEO after the scandal.”
In context“Under the current constitution, the president can only be removed from office if a two-thirds majority of the senate agrees.”
- 04 C2 Proficiency
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.
Simple“In the movie, the spy was ordered to remove the double agent.”
In context“The dictator sought to remove any political rivals who might challenge his absolute control over the military.”
Synonyms - 05 C1 Advanced
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'.
Simple“It is easier to judge the situation at a remove of several years.”
In context“Watching the events unfold from a safe remove, the journalists were able to maintain a level of objectivity that those on the ground lacked.”
SynonymsAntonyms
Usage remove barriers
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.