remains
rih-MAYNZ
Remains (noun) means the parts of something that are left after most of it has gone or been destroyed. Example: “Only the remains of the old castle wall can still be seen on the hill.”
noun
1
The parts of something that are left after most of it has gone or been destroyed.
"Only the remains of the old castle wall can still be seen on the hill."
"We swept up the remains of the broken vase and put them in the bin."
"Archaeologists uncovered the remains of a Roman villa beneath the field."
2
A dead body.
"The remains were buried in a quiet ceremony in the family's village."
"Scientists examined the ancient remains found inside the cave."
"The family arranged for the remains to be flown home."
How to use remains
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishWhat's left of something — often used for ruins, or, more solemnly, for a person's body after death.
When to use it
Using "remains" for a body is a formal, respectful way of avoiding blunter words like "corpse."
Common pairings
ancient remains
human remains
mortal remains
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Only the _____ of the old castle wall can still be seen on the hill.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for remains
See all rhymes for remains →Frequently asked questions
What does “remains” mean?
The word “remains” means the parts of something that are left after most of it has gone or been destroyed. In plain terms, what's left of something — often used for ruins, or, more solemnly, for a person's body after death.
How do you pronounce “remains”?
“Remains” is pronounced rih-MAYNZ (/ɹɪˈmeɪnz/ in IPA).
How do you use “remains” in a sentence?
Here is “remains” used in a sentence: “Archaeologists uncovered the remains of a Roman villa beneath the field.”
What part of speech is “remains”?
“Remains” is a noun.
Is “remains” a common word?
“Remains” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “remains” have?
“Remains” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the parts of something that are left after most of it has gone or been destroyed.
What is the difference between remains and remainder?
Remains usually refers to physical parts left after something is destroyed, decayed, or used up, and often carries a sombre or archaeological tone. Remainder is more neutral and mathematical, meaning simply the amount left over. You would speak of ancient remains but the remainder of a payment.
What are the types of remains?
The word covers several senses: human remains, meaning a body or its bones; food remains or leftovers; archaeological remains such as ruins and artefacts; and general remnants of anything broken down or consumed. The common thread is that only a portion survives after the whole is gone.
Does remains always refer to a dead body?
No. While human remains commonly means a corpse or skeleton, the word applies to whatever is left of anything, such as the remains of a meal, a fire, or an old building. Only context tells you whether the sense is solemn or entirely ordinary.
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