leftover

noun left·over \ ˈleft-ˌō-vər \

Updated on: 18 Apr 2018

Definition of leftover

1 : something that remains unused or unconsumed; especially : leftover food served at a later meal —usually used in plural

2 : an anachronistic survival : vestige

See leftover defined for English-language learners

See leftover defined for kids

Examples of leftover in a Sentence

Are we having leftovers again?
The law is a leftover from earlier times.

Recent Examples of leftover from the Web

This also serves as one of the best reheated leftovers.

— marc bona, cleveland.com, "Vaccaro's Trattoria keeps focus on all things Italian - family, food, wine (review)," 12 Apr. 2018
Any fun tips for creative things to do with leftover cake, aside from just freezing it for after the honeymoon?

— sierra tishgart, The Cut, "A Wedding Cake-Maker Shares His Expert Advice," 11 Apr. 2018
When done, drain eggplant and discard the leftover oil.

— joanne kempinger demski, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Olives, capers add extra touch to Pastiche's ratatouille," 9 Apr. 2018
In a unique depiction of the solar system, Enfield High School senior Alyssa Nyers used a leftover table from wood shop, black paint, broken glass, and a small globe to represent the moon, stars, sun, and Earth.

— manon l. mirabelli, Courant Community, "Annual High School Arts Festival Held," 4 Apr. 2018
Painstaking hard work fills in the gaps, with drones, dogs, metal detectors and bulldozers used to sniff out and snuff out the leftover mines.

— tia goldenberg, Fox News, "Area around Jesus' baptism site being cleared of land mines," 29 Mar. 2018
This is an easy way to enjoy any leftover crawfish tails.

— ann maloney, NOLA.com, "Spicy crawfish roll -- or po-boy -- recipe," 28 Mar. 2018
Utilize your freezer Bag up any ingredient or leftover meal and — here’s the key — label it.

— lauren delgado, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Here's how you can eat healthy on a budget," 28 Mar. 2018
Even Republicans acknowledged that the bills became loaded up with all kinds of leftover provisions from other bills that didn't make it.

— kaitlin lange, Indianapolis Star, "A special session for special interests?," 25 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'leftover.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of leftover

1866

leftover Synonyms

Other Food Terms

Reuben, calamari, chuck, curry, edamame, foie gras, hummus, leaven, nonpareil, peel

leftover

adjective

Definition of leftover

: not consumed or used

leftover food

leftover space

Recent Examples of leftover from the Web

This is a great recipe for leftover meat and potatoes.

— linda gassenheimer, miamiherald, "New England specialty perfect for leftover meat, potatoes | Miami Herald," 2 Apr. 2018
Almost anything and everything can be put into fried rice -- from tofu to leftover meat and vegetables.

— debbi snook, cleveland.com, "Leftover Easter ham recipes: Soup, salad, stir fry, ham loaf," 28 Mar. 2018
Look, don't take this the wrong way, but: Your leftover lunch salad probably isn’t great.

— alex delany, Bon Appetit, "How to Keep Leftover Salad From Getting Soggy," 2 Mar. 2018
The grill cook brings leftover meat to the butcher who records what’s been used.

— andrew simmons, San Francisco Chronicle, "The night shift: After the dinner rush, a world of work awaits," 26 Jan. 2018
For the next seven years, artists used old, leftover pieces of glass for new works.

— carol motsinger, Cincinnati.com, "We knew we our stained glass windows were beautiful. We didn't know they were Tiffany.," 29 Mar. 2018
Her recipe for Sizzling Fried Rice is a great way to use up leftover rice.

— chris ross, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Fried rice with fresh veggies," 26 Mar. 2018
Volunteers also helped staff the shelter office and brought donated or leftover pet medicines to treat shelter animals.

— kristi nix, Houston Chronicle, "Missouri City Animal Shelter operating costs skyrocket following review by the Texas Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners," 26 Mar. 2018
Jessie Kornberg, president and chief executive of legal-services provider Bet Tzedek, said the Los Angeles group receives around $150,000 to $750,000 a year in leftover class-action funds.

— sara randazzo, WSJ, "Google Privacy Case Risks Disrupting a Key Source of Nonprofit Funding," 23 Mar. 2018

First Known Use of leftover

1864

Other Food Terms

Reuben, calamari, chuck, curry, edamame, foie gras, hummus, leaven, nonpareil, peel

LEFTOVER Defined for English Language Learners

leftover

noun

Definition of leftover for English Language Learners

leftovers : food that has not been finished at a meal and that is often served at another meal
: a thing that remains after something is finished or ended