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adj Uncommon

leftover

Leftover (adj) means remaining after the rest has been used or eaten. Example: “She used the leftover vegetables to make a soup.”

adj
1
Remaining after the rest has been used or eaten.
"She used the leftover vegetables to make a soup."
noun
1
Food or material remaining after a meal or event.
"We had last night's leftovers for lunch today."

How to use leftover

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishSomething extra that's left after the main portion is used, especially food.

Common pairings
leftover food leftover pizza reheat the leftovers

Word forms

leftovers plural

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She used the _____ vegetables to make a soup.

Etymology

Formed from left ("remaining") plus over ("extra, in excess").

Related words

Rhymes for leftover

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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.

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Definitions: FreeDict original editorial