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
: not consumed or used
leftover food
leftover space
Synonyms
Example Sentences
Noun
Are we having leftovers again?
The law is a leftover from earlier times.
Recent Examples on the Web
Khristopher J. Brooks, CBS News, 11 May 2023
Let cool and keep any leftovers in a sealed glass jar in your fridge for up to a month.
—Keith Pandolfi, The Enquirer, 5 May 2023
She was also bothered by the expense and waste of the leftover ingredients.
—Ann Trieger Kurland, BostonGlobe.com, 2 May 2023
Those leftovers are then bundled up and sewn into seat cushions—perhaps the most intriguing object in the presentation.
—ELLE Decor, 28 Apr. 2023
Thiessen has had plenty of practice reimagining leftovers in fun ways — especially for her husband, actor and artist Brady Smith.
—Sam Burros, Peoplemag, 28 Mar. 2023
The website goes on to suggest waiting 10 minutes, then scraping with a plastic putty knife and mopping to remove the leftover padding.
—Jeanne Huber, Washington Post, 17 Mar. 2023
Of course, leftover buzz from one of 2022’s biggest moments, when Will Smith slapped presenter Chris Rock for making a joke about Jada Pinkett Smith (Smith’s wife,) could help propel ratings even higher, as people want to witness similar moments that go viral on social media.
—Toni Fitzgerald, Forbes, 8 Mar. 2023
Baked Potato Soup Got some leftover potatoes lying around?
—Blaine Callahan, Hartford Courant, 30 Jan. 2023
Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 26 May 2023
This quaint 195-square-foot structure was built in 1915 using leftover materials from the construction of Fayetteville's nearby school building.
—Gabi De La Rosa, Chron, 17 May 2023
Atelier Jolie will only use leftover garments, quality vintage material and deadstock (a.k.a. surplus) fabrics.
—Zizi Strater, Peoplemag, 17 May 2023
Webb telescope captures glowing starburst as galaxies collide Stars form from gas and dust, and then a ring of leftover material called a protoplanetary disk orbits the star, where planets are born.
—Ashley Strickland, CNN, 8 May 2023
The brand even finds ways to use scraps of material, such as using leftover fabric from ottomans as upholstery for stools.
—Alyssa Gautieri, Good Housekeeping, 16 May 2023
Often, the most sustainable red carpet materials already exist: unused, leftover or remnant fabrics and fixtures.
—Fawnia Soo Hoo, The Hollywood Reporter, 14 May 2023
Distilled alcohol doesn’t usually cause an allergic reaction, Sicherer added, but the cream in liquors or leftover proteins in beer could be a trigger.
—Stephanie Brown, Verywell Health, 8 May 2023
But as the family gathered, the facilities were still burning off chemical emissions, sending clouds of leftover toxics toward their two-bedroom home, hitting them on some days with distinct and worrisome smells — and leaving Mr. López concerned about the health of their children.
—Eric Lipton, New York Times, 5 May 2023
See More
Noun
Instead, Adidas will sell the leftover Yeezy stock and give the proceeds to charity.
—Khristopher J. Brooks, CBS News, 11 May 2023
Let cool and keep any leftovers in a sealed glass jar in your fridge for up to a month.
—Keith Pandolfi, The Enquirer, 5 May 2023
She was also bothered by the expense and waste of the leftover ingredients.
—Ann Trieger Kurland, BostonGlobe.com, 2 May 2023
Those leftovers are then bundled up and sewn into seat cushions—perhaps the most intriguing object in the presentation.
—ELLE Decor, 28 Apr. 2023
Thiessen has had plenty of practice reimagining leftovers in fun ways — especially for her husband, actor and artist Brady Smith.
—Sam Burros, Peoplemag, 28 Mar. 2023
The website goes on to suggest waiting 10 minutes, then scraping with a plastic putty knife and mopping to remove the leftover padding.
—Jeanne Huber, Washington Post, 17 Mar. 2023
Of course, leftover buzz from one of 2022’s biggest moments, when Will Smith slapped presenter Chris Rock for making a joke about Jada Pinkett Smith (Smith’s wife,) could help propel ratings even higher, as people want to witness similar moments that go viral on social media.
—Toni Fitzgerald, Forbes, 8 Mar. 2023
Baked Potato Soup Got some leftover potatoes lying around?
—Blaine Callahan, Hartford Courant, 30 Jan. 2023
Adjective
To her husband’s surprise, Turner takes off with Dimoldenberg, leaving him with their leftover chicken and fries.
—Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 26 May 2023
This quaint 195-square-foot structure was built in 1915 using leftover materials from the construction of Fayetteville's nearby school building.
—Gabi De La Rosa, Chron, 17 May 2023
Atelier Jolie will only use leftover garments, quality vintage material and deadstock (a.k.a. surplus) fabrics.
—Zizi Strater, Peoplemag, 17 May 2023
Webb telescope captures glowing starburst as galaxies collide Stars form from gas and dust, and then a ring of leftover material called a protoplanetary disk orbits the star, where planets are born.
—Ashley Strickland, CNN, 8 May 2023
The brand even finds ways to use scraps of material, such as using leftover fabric from ottomans as upholstery for stools.
—Alyssa Gautieri, Good Housekeeping, 16 May 2023
Often, the most sustainable red carpet materials already exist: unused, leftover or remnant fabrics and fixtures.
—Fawnia Soo Hoo, The Hollywood Reporter, 14 May 2023
Distilled alcohol doesn’t usually cause an allergic reaction, Sicherer added, but the cream in liquors or leftover proteins in beer could be a trigger.
—Stephanie Brown, Verywell Health, 8 May 2023
But as the family gathered, the facilities were still burning off chemical emissions, sending clouds of leftover toxics toward their two-bedroom home, hitting them on some days with distinct and worrisome smells — and leaving Mr. López concerned about the health of their children.
—Eric Lipton, New York Times, 5 May 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'leftover.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Dictionary Entries Near leftover
Cite this Entry
“Leftover.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/leftover. Accessed 3 Jun. 2023.
Copy Citation
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
More from Merriam-Webster on leftover
Nglish: Translation of leftover for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of leftover for Arabic Speakers
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