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adj C2 Proficient Uncommon

residual

rih-ZIHJ-oorl

Residual (adj) means Left over after most of something has gone or been used up. Example: “There was still residual moisture in the walls after the leak was fixed.”

adj
1
Left over after most of something has gone or been used up.
"There was still residual moisture in the walls after the leak was fixed."
"She felt a residual sense of unease long after the argument ended."
noun
1
A payment made to a performer or writer when a recorded show is rebroadcast.
"The actor still earns residuals from the sitcom's reruns."

How to Use Residual

Learner’s notes
Common pairings
residual value residual effect earn residuals

Word Forms

residuals plural

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Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

There was still _____ moisture in the walls after the leak was fixed.

Etymology

From "residue", from Latin residuum, "a remainder", from resideo, "to remain behind".

Origin: Latin

rest balance remainder residue residuum residuary

Related Words

Rhymes for residual

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does “residual” mean?

The word “residual” means left over after most of something has gone or been used up.

How do you pronounce “residual”?

“Residual” is pronounced rih-ZIHJ-oorl (/ɹɪˈzɪd͡ʒ.u.əl/ in IPA).

How do you use “residual” in a sentence?

Here is “residual” used in a sentence: “There was still residual moisture in the walls after the leak was fixed.”

What part of speech is “residual”?

Depending on how it is used, “residual” can be an adjective and a noun.

Where does the word “residual” come from?

The word “residual” comes from Latin. From "residue", from Latin residuum, "a remainder", from resideo, "to remain behind".

Is “residual” a common word?

“Residual” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the C2 level.

How many meanings does “residual” have?

“Residual” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: left over after most of something has gone or been used up.

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