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

One quick swipe lifts away leftover buildup, leaving skin smoother, clearer, and ready for the rest of your routine. —Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 21 Mar. 2026

But 39 seconds into the second period, with some leftover power-play time, the Eagles did take the lead on a tic-tac-toe play by a trio of Bruins’ draft picks. —Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 21 Mar. 2026

Adjective

Grease and oil might look harmless, but grease has the potential to congeal and harden, while leftover oil can coat your pipes and cause other things to get stuck. —Alexandra Kelly, Martha Stewart, 15 Mar. 2026

There can be several reasons from hard water's mineral buildup, leftover detergent residue, over-drying, or natural fiber stiffening. —Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 7 Mar. 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