What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
distal
Example
The distal end of the femur connects to the knee joint. [distal: adjective]
Example
The doctor examined the distal part of the patient's arm for signs of injury. [distal: adjective]
remote
Example
The village was located in a remote area of the mountains. [remote: adjective]
Example
It's unlikely that we'll be able to visit the remote island anytime soon. [remote: adjective]
Example
I accessed my work computer remotely from home. [remotely: adverb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Remote is more commonly used than distal in everyday language, as it has a wider range of applications and is more accessible to non-specialists.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between distal and remote?
Distal is a technical term that is typically used in formal or specialized contexts, while remote can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
