remain
16 synonyms and 3 antonyms for remain, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To stay in the same place, condition, or state without changing.
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.
Antonyms
How to use remain
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Old French remanoir, from Latin remanere — re- ("back") + manere ("to stay").
Full origin of remain →Frequently asked questions
What does “remain” mean?
The word “remain” means to stay in the same place, condition, or state without changing. In plain terms, staying put or staying the same, or being what's left after everything else is gone.
How do you pronounce “remain”?
“Remain” is pronounced rih-MAYN (/ɹɪˈmeɪn/ in IPA).
How do you use “remain” in a sentence?
Here is “remain” used in a sentence: “The museum will remain open until nine tonight.”
What is another word for “remain”?
Words with a similar meaning to “remain” include stay, tarry, last, stand, bide and wait.
What is the opposite of “remain”?
The opposite of “remain” — its antonyms — are leave, be taken and be removed.
What part of speech is “remain”?
“Remain” is a verb.
Where does the word “remain” come from?
The word “remain” comes from Latin. From Old French remanoir, from Latin remanere — re- ("back") + manere ("to stay").
Is “remain” a common word?
“Remain” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
What is the difference between remain and stay?
They overlap and are often interchangeable. Stay is the everyday word, especially for staying in a place — 'stay here.' Remain is a little more formal and works well for conditions or states, as in 'remain calm' or 'questions remain.' Both mean to continue in the same place or state.
What is the difference between remain and remainder?
Remain is a verb meaning to stay or be left. Remainder is a noun meaning the part that is left over. So people or things remain, and what is left is the remainder — 'two guests remained, and the remainder had gone home.' One describes the action, the other the leftover amount.
What is an example of remain in a sentence?
You might say, 'Please remain seated until the plane stops,' meaning stay as you are. Other examples include 'the shop will remain open all week' or 'much work remains to be done,' where remain shows that something continues in the same place, condition, or state.