leftover

noun left·over \ ˈleft-ˌō-vər \

|Updated on: 12 Jun 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

Soldiers reportedly sat down to eat a meal made of leftover food from the White House scullery using White House dishes and silver before ransacking the presidential mansion and setting it ablaze.

— ed kilgore, Daily Intelligencer, "Trump Asks Trudeau: ‘Didn’t You Guys Burn Down the White House?’," 6 June 2018
Today's list is led by a leftover Memorial Day deal on LG's B7A OLED TVs, as Dell has dropped the 65-inch model down to $1,900.

— ars staff, Ars Technica, "Dealmaster: Get a 65-inch LG OLED TV and a $300 Dell gift card for $1,900," 29 May 2018
The front office could also look at other leftover free-agent options.

— peter dawson, star-telegram, "Could Cowboys find Jason Witten's heir on Day 3 of NFL Draft? | Fort Worth Star-Telegram," 27 Apr. 2018
The three modest bedrooms can accommodate a total of six guests and we’re given cart blanche to raid the fridge for leftovers at midnight and help ourselves to wine.

— jen murphy, Condé Nast Traveler, "You Can Now Learn To Cook at Julia Child's Provençal Home," 26 Apr. 2018
Almost any leftover pasta, with the exception of stuffed ones, can have a second life as a very delicious frittata or baked dish.

— Time, "9 Ways You're Ruining Your Pasta, From an Expert Chef," 13 Apr. 2018
Hotel staff regularly brought her coffee, leftover food and sanitary wipes.

— becky jacobs, Post-Tribune, "Alone for years, Carolyn Spencer died under the bridge she called home," 3 Mar. 2018
Good as served, or topped off with some of the leftover crab stew.

— mitch goldich, SI.com, "Squid Ink Ice Cream! Jeju Black Pig! One Gluttonous Day Exploring Local Cuisine Outside PyeongChang," 15 Feb. 2018
Collect leftover food from the annual fall camping bash and use it to feed hungry families in Gunner's community.

— maureen c. gilmer, Indianapolis Star, "This Boy Scout died at 14, but he lives on thanks to the city that finished his Eagle project," 24 Jan. 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

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

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

Republicans, however, argue the money was leftover spending and would have been shifted over to fund other aspects of government if it wasn't rescinded.

— ashley killough, CNN, "House to vote Thursday on package that would cut $1 billion in spending," 7 June 2018
Much of the money is leftover proceeds from the sale of excess land around the I-277 interchanges, which developers bought to build a Whole Foods, hotels and more than 1,600 apartments.

— ely portillo, charlotteobserver, "Here's Charlotte's plan to close a frustrating gap between South End and uptown," 6 June 2018
Some 35 years ago, its leftover World War II-era pinball machines finally got tossed.

— jacques kelly, baltimoresun.com, "Jacques Kelly: Penn Station still a neighborhood showpiece, and potential powerhouse," 2 June 2018
The third, dessert round mystery basket contained leftover coffee, ice cream, lemon pie, and Concord grapes.

— BostonGlobe.com, "Spoiler alert: This New England chef made the cut on ‘Chopped’," 29 May 2018
Algorithms then search for leftover points of light.

— joshua sokol, WIRED, "These Spinning Disks of Gas and Dust Reveal How Planets Get Made," 28 May 2018
Writer-director Kim Yong-wan delivers a palatable product, with leftover ingredients.

— noel murray, latimes.com, "Star power distinguishes lighthearted Korean arm wrestling drama 'Champion'," 16 May 2018
Ultimately, Brian sends a grimacing face emoji, which his friends joke is a sign of leftover intoxication rather than disapproval over Mike's actions.

— kasandra brabaw, refinery29.com, "It's Time For Men To Hold Each Other Accountable," 16 May 2018
It was made with leftover turkey and, of course, homemade stock made with the turkey carcass.

— terri milligan, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "A chef gives a loving tribute to her mother - plus one of her mom's recipes," 8 May 2018

First Known Use of leftover

1864

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

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