Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Relating to or indicating a remainder: Describing what remains after the main part has been removed, used, or accounted for.
   • Remaining after a process is complete: Pertaining to a quantity or effect that is left over.

2. Noun:

   • Something left after other parts have been taken away: The remainder or leftover part.
   • (Often plural) A payment for repeat showings: In entertainment, a payment made to a performer, writer, or director for each repeat broadcast of a show or commercial.

Examples of Usage

• Adjective:

  • After cleaning, a residual stain remained on the carpet.
  • The study examined the residual effects of the medication.

• Noun:

  • The residual of the estate was divided among the charities.
  • The actor receives residuals every time the classic commercial airs.

Advanced Usage

• "Residual value": In finance and accounting, the estimated scrap value of an asset at the end of its useful life.

  • The car's residual value after five years was surprisingly high.

• "Residual risk": The risk that remains after all control measures have been applied.

  • Managers must assess and monitor the residual risk.

Variants and Related Words

• Residue (n): A small amount of something that remains after the main part has gone or been taken or used.

  • A sticky residue was left by the tape.

• Residually (adv): In a residual manner.

  • The influence persisted residually for years.

Synonyms

• Remaining (adj): Left over.
• Remainder (n): The part that is left.
• Leftover (adj/n): Remaining as an unused portion.

Related Phrases

• Residual income: Income that continues to be generated after the initial effort has been expended.

  • The book provides her with a steady stream of residual income.

• Residual stress: Stress that remains in a material after the original cause of the stress has been removed.

  • The welding process can introduce residual stress in the metal.

Adjective

1. relating to or indicating a remainder
   • residual quantity

Noun

1. (often plural) a payment that is made to a performer or writer or director of a television show or commercial that is paid for every repeat showing
   • he could retire on his residuals
2. something left after other parts have been taken away
   • there was no remainder
   • he threw away the rest
   • he took what he wanted and I got the balance