leftover

[left-oh-ver]

noun

1. Usually leftovers. food remaining uneaten at the end of a meal, especially when saved for later use.

2. anything left or remaining from a larger amount; remainder.

adjective

1. being left or remaining, as an unused portion or amount.

   leftover meatloaf.

   Synonyms: extra, excess, surplus

leftover

/ ˈlɛftˌəʊvə /

noun

1. (often plural) an unused portion or remnant, as of material or of cooked food

adjective

1. left as an unused portion or remnant

Word History and Origins

Origin of leftover¹

1890–95; noun use of verb phrase left over; left ²

Example Sentences

It has a long, slender tail that flicks enthusiastically as it homes in on the leftover pizza.

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Flotsam means the leftover bits and pieces of a shipwreck, while jetsam means items thrown overboard on purpose.

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Cassiopeia swept up crumbs and leftover crusts of bread from the breakfast tray and tied them snugly in a linen square; with these she would tempt the birds close enough to be recognized.

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Until then, a ticket’ll get ’em a packet of leftover food from the palace kitchens.”

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A can of pumpkin puree, leftover from a recent loaf, joined in.

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Related Words

• extra 
• residual 
• unused