remainder
15 synonyms and 7 antonyms for remainder, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — Whatever is left over once part of something has been taken away or used up.
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 remainder
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Anglo-Norman remaindre, an infinitive used as a noun meaning "that which stays behind."
Full origin of remainder →Frequently asked questions
What does “remainder” mean?
The word “remainder” means whatever is left over once part of something has been taken away or used up. In plain terms, what's left over — whether it's time, a number in a division sum, or unsold books.
How do you pronounce “remainder”?
“Remainder” is pronounced rih-MAYN-duh (/ɹəˈmeɪndɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “remainder” in a sentence?
Here is “remainder” used in a sentence: “She spent the remainder of her afternoon answering emails.”
What is another word for “remainder”?
Words with a similar meaning to “remainder” include residue, rest, lave, surplus, leavings and leftover.
What is the opposite of “remainder”?
The opposite of “remainder” — its antonyms — are dearth, deficiency, deficit, shortage and undersupply.
What part of speech is “remainder”?
“Remainder” is a noun.
Where does the word “remainder” come from?
The word “remainder” comes from Anglo-Norman. From Anglo-Norman remaindre, an infinitive used as a noun meaning "that which stays behind.".
Is “remainder” a common word?
“Remainder” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
What is the difference between remainder and the rest?
They mean the same thing — whatever is left over once part of something has been taken away — but they differ in register. "The rest" is the everyday choice, while "the remainder" is more formal and common in written, mathematical, or legal contexts.
What is a remainder in math?
In arithmetic, the remainder is the number left over when one number does not divide evenly into another. For example, 17 divided by 5 gives 3 with a remainder of 2, because 5 goes into 17 three times with 2 left over.
What is the difference between remainder and remnant?
A remainder is simply whatever is left after part of something is removed or used up, with no suggestion about its size or condition. A remnant is typically a small surviving piece or trace of something that is mostly gone, such as a remnant of fabric or the remnants of an empire.
What is a remaindered book?
A remaindered book is unsold stock that a publisher sells off cheaply, often after demand has fallen. This use comes from the sense of remainder meaning leftover, unsold copies of a book or other goods.