remain

[ri-meyn]

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 miscellaneous, fragmentary, or other writings still unpublished at the time of an author's death.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

/ 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

Other Word Forms

• unremaining adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of remain¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of remain¹

C14: from Old French remanoir , from Latin remanēre to be left, from _re- + manēre to stay

Synonym Study

See continue.

Example Sentences

An amber weather warning remains in place until 21:00 in the north of Scotland, while a wider yellow warning extends to northern England and parts of Wales until midnight.

From BBC

About 22,000 properties in Northern Ireland remain without power on Saturday morning following damage to the electricity network caused by Storm Amy.

From BBC

But when his administrative leave will be resolved remains uncertain.

From Los Angeles Times

The driver remained in his car during a nearly two-hour standoff with police, until he voluntarily emerged shortly before 6 p.m. and was taken into custody.

From Los Angeles Times

The king remains the legitimate head of state, military and religious affairs, holding the power to appoint and remove ministers if necessary.

From BBC

Related Words

• continue 
• endure 
• go on 
• hover 
• last 
• linger 
• live 
• persist 
• prevail 
• stand 
• stop 
• survive 
• wait