Synonyms of leftover

leftover 1 of 2

noun

ˈleft-ˌō-vər 

1

as in remainder

an unused or unwanted piece or item typically of small size or value

that doormat is just a leftover from when the new carpet was installed

Synonyms & Similar Words

• remainder
• scrap
• remnant
• piece
• rest
• fag end
• end
• stub
• leavings
• residual
• oddment
• residue
• pickings
• shred
• sliver
• remains
• stump
• vestige
• fragment
• refuse
• odds and ends
• splinter
• scraping(s)
• flake
• chip
• balance
• ribbon(s)
• tatter

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• whole

2

as in rest

leftovers plural a remaining group or portion

take as many of these calendars as you want, and put the leftovers back on the shelf

Synonyms & Similar Words

• rest
• remainder
• leavings
• remnant
• residue
• residuum
• remains
• odds and ends
• balance
• fragment
• surplus
• scrap
• vestige
• excess
• stump
• overabundance
• stub
• butt
• surfeit
• overflow
• fat
• overage
• oversupply
• superabundance
• superfluity
• overkill
• scraping(s)
• oddment
• overmuch

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• most
• body
• mass
• weight
• bulk
• main

leftover

2 of 2

adjective

as in residual

still existing or present after other parts are used or removed

This recipe is a great way to use up leftover rice.

Related Words

• residual
• remaining
• lingering
• lasting
• staying
• continuing
• persisting
• enduring
• surviving
• holding up
• abiding
• keeping up
• biding
• holding on
• perduring
• running on
• prevailing
• sticking around
• tarrying
• carrying through

Dissimilar Words

• dying (down)
• waning
• letting up
• subsiding
• ebbing
• dying
• passing
• ending
• finishing
• moderating
• abating
• concluding
• closing
• winding up
• stopping
• expiring
• lapsing
• terminating
• ceasing
• quitting
• leaving off
• discontinuing
• desisting

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of leftover

Noun

Keep it meatless over rice or quinoa with some tofu, or mix in leftover chicken or beef that needs to be used up. — Danielle Bouchard, Martha Stewart, 15 Oct. 2026

The proper form would have been to ask for agreement on the leftovers — or order one item directly to-go, which would have ensured your husband did not go hungry, even if your siblings still were. — Judith Martin, Sun Sentinel, 14 Oct. 2026

Adjective

There were no more lines for many different Dudamel T-shirts, just leftover Hollywood Bowl ones, and no wait for popcorn or ice cream. — Classical Music Critic, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026

The rest goes into a stock pot with leftover frozen celery tops, onion skins and maybe the odd garlic clove. — Malaka Gharib, NPR, 6 July 2026