leftover

1 of 2

noun

left·​over ˈleft-ˌō-vər 

1

: something that remains unused or unconsumed

especially : leftover food served at a later meal

—usually used in plural

2

: an anachronistic survival : vestige

leftover

2 of 2

adjective

: not consumed or used

leftover food

leftover space

Synonyms of leftover

Noun

• remainder
• scrap
• remnant

Examples of leftover in a Sentence

Noun

Are we having leftovers again?

The law is a leftover from earlier times.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Even if Boeing gave up some of the Atlas Vs under its contractual control, ULA would not be able to easily retrofit any of the leftover Atlas Vs for other missions. — Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 7 July 2026

By nighttime, the food options—some with German influences—look like leftovers, despite the staff freshening up the offerings. — Rachel Chang, Travel + Leisure, 7 July 2026

Adjective

The rest goes into a stock pot with leftover frozen celery tops, onion skins and maybe the odd garlic clove. — Malaka Gharib, NPR, 6 July 2026

Any leftover unopened packages can hang in the fridge for up to two weeks, or in the freezer for up to two months. — Farideh Sadeghin, Bon Appetit Magazine, 18 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1866, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1864, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for leftover

• carryover
• changeover
• crossover
• cutover
• flashover
• hangover
• holdover
• layover
• makeover
• moreover
• passover
• pullover

Kids Definition

leftover

noun

left·​over

ˈlef-ˌtō-vər

: something remaining

especially : food left over from one meal and served at another

—usually used in plural

leftover adjective