leftovers
/ˈleftˌəʊ.vəz/ IELTSAcademic
noun
Food that remains after a meal and is saved for later. It can also mean other things that are left after something is used or taken.
- We ate the leftovers for lunch.
- Please put the leftovers in the fridge.
- She donated the leftovers to the shelter.
Adinary Nuance
Leftovers is more specific than “remains” or “remainder” because it often refers to food after a meal. It is more natural and everyday than formal words like “surplus” or “residue.” In speech and writing, people usually use it for home cooking, restaurants, and packed food.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- đồ ăn thừa
- Spanish
- sobras
- Chinese
- 剩菜
- Japanese
- 残り物
- Korean
- 남은 음식
Etymology
Leftovers comes from the phrase “left over,” meaning “remaining.” It has been used in English since the 19th century.
Common phrases
eat the leftoversstore the leftoversleftover foodleftovers from dinner
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is leftovers singular or plural?
- It is usually plural. People say, “There are leftovers in the fridge.”
- Can I use leftovers for food only?
- Most often, yes. It can also mean things that remain after something is used.
- Is leftovers formal or informal?
- It is common and natural in everyday English. It is fine in most writing, too.