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

Noun

• end
• fag end
• oddment
• remainder
• remnant
• scrap
• stub

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

For a few years, until 1968, the Legislature added both district and borough-wide seats, but since then, only borough-wide judgeships have been added, as the vastly unequal districts were just leftovers that kept hanging around. —New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 19 May 2025

Barry leans heavily on old clips of his writing to fill this book up, and that’s fine, but near the end the bag of leftovers grows soggy. —Dwight Garner, New York Times, 19 May 2025

Adjective

Not only will this reduce water waste, but that leftover water contains nutrients that can boost plant growth and even help seeds germinate faster. —Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 May 2025

In the middle of it all is the playfully gruff Coopersmith, greeting customers with hugs and handshakes, maybe an invitation for some leftover birthday cake. —Shauna Lyon, New Yorker, 9 May 2025

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