noun
Uncommon
remnant
REHM-nuhnt
Remnant (noun) means a small remaining piece or amount of something bigger that once existed. Example: “Only a remnant of the old city wall still stands.”
noun
1
A small remaining piece or amount of something bigger that once existed.
"Only a remnant of the old city wall still stands."
2
A leftover piece of fabric sold cheaply at the end of a roll.
"She bought a remnant of blue cotton to make cushion covers."
How to use remnant
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA small leftover piece or trace of something that used to be bigger or whole.
Common pairings
remnant of
fabric remnant
last remnants
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Word forms
- Plural
- remnants
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Only a _____ of the old city wall still stands.
Etymology
A shortened form of Middle English "remenant," from Anglo-Norman remanant, related to remain.
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “remnant” mean?
The word “remnant” means a small remaining piece or amount of something bigger that once existed. In plain terms, a small leftover piece or trace of something that used to be bigger or whole.
How do you pronounce “remnant”?
“Remnant” is pronounced REHM-nuhnt (/ˈɹɛmnənt/ in IPA).
How do you use “remnant” in a sentence?
Here is “remnant” used in a sentence: “Only a remnant of the old city wall still stands.”
What is another word for “remnant”?
Words with a similar meaning to “remnant” include residue, remainder and lave.
What part of speech is “remnant”?
“Remnant” is a noun.
Where does the word “remnant” come from?
The word “remnant” comes from Middle English. A shortened form of Middle English "remenant," from Anglo-Norman remanant, related to remain.
Is “remnant” a common word?
“Remnant” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “remnant” have?
“Remnant” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a small remaining piece or amount of something bigger that once existed.
