leftover
5 synonyms for leftover, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adj — Remaining after the rest has been used or eaten.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
unexpended
Synonyms by Meaning
1. adj
Remaining after the rest has been used or eaten.
“She used the leftover vegetables to make a soup.”
2. noun
Food or material remaining after a meal or event.
“We had last night's leftovers for lunch today.”
How to use leftover
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
leftover food
leftover pizza
reheat the leftovers
Etymology
Formed from left ("remaining") plus over ("extra, in excess").
Full origin of leftover →Frequently asked questions
What does “leftover” mean?
The word “leftover” means remaining after the rest has been used or eaten. In plain terms, something extra that's left after the main portion is used, especially food.
How do you use “leftover” in a sentence?
Here is “leftover” used in a sentence: “She used the leftover vegetables to make a soup.”
What part of speech is “leftover”?
Depending on how it is used, “leftover” can be an adjective and a noun.
Is “leftover” a common word?
“Leftover” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “leftover” have?
“Leftover” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: remaining after the rest has been used or eaten.
