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Synonyms

remain

American  
[ri-meyn] / rɪˈmeɪn /

verb (used without object)

  1. to continue in the same state; continue to be as specified.

    to remain at peace.

    Synonyms:
    stay, abide
  2. to stay behind or in the same place.

    to remain at home;

    I'll remain here when you go to the airport.

    Synonyms:
    rest, tarry, wait
    Antonyms:
    depart
  3. to be left after the removal, loss, destruction, etc., of all else.

    The front wall is all that remains of the fort.

    Synonyms:
    abide, endure
  4. to be left to be done, told, shown, etc..

    Only the dishwashing remains.

  5. to be reserved or in store.


noun

  1. Usually remains. something that remains or is left.

  2. remains,

    1. miscellaneous, fragmentary, or other writings still unpublished at the time of an author's death.

    2. traces of some quality, condition, etc.

    3. a dead body; corpse.

    4. parts or substances remaining from animal or plant life that occur in the earth's crust or strata.

      fossil remains;

      organic remains.

remain British  
/ rɪˈmeɪn /

verb

  1. to stay behind or in the same place

    to remain at home

    only Tom remained

  2. (copula) to continue to be

    to remain cheerful

  3. to be left, as after use, consumption, the passage of time, etc

    a little wine still remained in the bottle

  4. to be left to be done, said, etc

    it remains to be pointed out

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Related Words

See continue.

Other Word Forms

  • unremaining adjective

Etymology

Origin of remain

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English remainen, from Anglo-French remain-, stressed stem of Middle French remanoir, from Latin remanēre, equivalent to re- re- + manēre “to stay”; manor

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The remaining siblings — sisters Gizmo and Sunny — survived, and successfully fledged.

From Los Angeles Times

The official position from Buckingham Palace remains that the King and Queen's "thoughts and utmost sympathies have been, and will remain with, the victims and survivors of any and all forms of abuse".

From BBC

The fundamental factors of debt and depreciation — the “debasement trade” — remain firmly in place, Lundin said.

From MarketWatch

I go through each of Dad’s shirts, gripping them and waiting, but they remain exactly what they are: old T-shirts.

From Literature

Until we get the name of the leader, a set of policies and a list of confirmed candidates, Reform in Wales will remain something of a mystery.

From BBC