leftover

English

Alternative forms

• left over, left-over

Etymology

From left (“remaining", "abandoned”) + over (“excess”)

Adjective

leftover (not comparable)

1. Remaining; left behind; extra; in reserve.

   Do you want some of the leftover supplies from the event?

2. (chiefly of food) Remaining after a meal is complete or eaten for a later meal or snack.

   I have some leftover spaghetti in the fridge, so I don't plan to cook tonight.

Usage notes

• When used after a verb (as part of a predicate phrase), use two separate words:

  I can walk for miles and still have energy left over.

Translations

remaining, left behind

Dutch: restant (nl) n. Finnish: tähteeksi jäänyt (fi)

French: restant (fr) m., restante (fr) f. Turkish: artakalan (tr), fazladan (tr)

remaining as meal is complete

Dutch: kliekje (nl) n. Finnish: tähteeksi jäänyt (fi)

French: restant (fr) m.

Noun

leftover (plural leftovers)

1. Something left behind; an excess or remainder.

   It's a leftover from yesterday, but it's still perfectly good.

   The entire wheel of cheese is a leftover from the party.

Translations

something left behind

Finnish: tähde (fi) French: reste (fr) m.

Portuguese: sobra (pt) f.