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

Widespread drought in the Southeast is largely to blame for the fires, but their spread has also been fueled by leftover debris from past hurricanes that swept across the region — an issue that also has connections to climate change. —Denise Chow, NBC news, 24 Apr. 2026

Be sure to sop up leftover sauce with a chunk of crusty bread. —Ashlyn Ware, Midwest Living, 24 Apr. 2026

Adjective

ReFED also notes that a lack of experience repurposing leftover ingredients is one of the top drivers of household food waste. —Allison Palmer, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 Apr. 2026

Your priorities deserve resources, not leftover attention. —Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 9 Apr. 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