Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Remaining, not used up: Describes something, especially food, that remains after the rest has been used, consumed, or taken.

2. Noun:

   • A remaining part or portion: A small part or quantity that is left after the main part is gone, often referring to food.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:

  • We had leftover pizza for breakfast.
  • She used leftover fabric to make a small bag.

• Noun:

  • I packed the leftovers from dinner for my lunch tomorrow.
  • The project was finished with the leftovers from the budget.

Advanced Usage

• "to be leftover from": to be a remaining part from a previous event or time.
  • These traditions are leftovers from a different era.

Variants and Related Words

• Left over (phrasal verb/adjectival phrase): The two-word form used after a verb.
  • Is there any chicken left over?
• Remaining (adj): Similar in meaning, often used in more formal contexts.
• Surplus (n/adj): An amount that is more than what is needed, often on a larger scale than a leftover.

Synonyms

• Remainder (n): Something that remains.
• Excess (n/adj): An amount beyond what is needed.
• Scraps (n): Small pieces, especially of food, that are left over.

Related Phrases

• Leftover food: The most common collocation.
• Leftover materials: Often used in crafting or construction contexts.

Notes on Meaning

The word "leftover" strongly implies that the main, intended, or original use is complete. What remains is often incidental or secondary. As a noun, it is most commonly used in the plural form (leftovers) when referring to food.

Adjective

1. not used up
   • leftover meatloaf
   • she had a little money left over so she went to a movie
   • some odd dollars left
   • saved the remaining sandwiches for supper
   • unexpended provisions

Noun

1. a small part or portion that remains after the main part no longer exists