leftover

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "leftover" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to refer to something that remains after the main part has been used or consumed, often in the context of food or materials. Example: "After the party, we had a lot of leftover pizza that we decided to save for lunch the next day."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Lifestyle

Tech

Opinion

Environment

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

You'll have some leftover shortbread here, but it keeps for the next day.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

A 2005 study funded by the National Institutes of Health found that of 58 couples with leftover embryos, 72% hadn't decided what to do with them.

The Guardian

Buy lots of grapefruit (they're a great way to start January mornings after 10 days of excess), while any leftover mint, coriander and beansprouts can all go into stir-fries or clear soups with garlic, ginger and other bits and pieces you have lurking in the fridge.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I'd love to see a few of the leftover no-man's-lands actually stay empty.

The Guardian

Arancini, named after the little oranges that these fried rice balls are said to resemble, are best known in this country as a handy way to use up leftover risotto.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

9) Be aware too that even if you remove explicit mentions of your name, a determined searcher may be able to dig up your past through leftover postings and hints of whatever sort.

The Guardian - Tech

In many cases, she says, our bodies can mop up any leftover bacteria.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

On DC Urban Moms and Dads, an online parenting message board, one woman posted that after debating the options for her leftover embryos, she brought the vials home, "burned some incense, held them and cried.

The Guardian

"I did not think we'd be in a position where we had to think about, 'Oh, now we have leftover, what do we do?'" she says.

The Guardian

Instead, the carbon ends up in leftover lumps of biochar.

The Guardian

Add a peeled potato, some basmati rice and shredded leftover chicken.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "leftover" to specifically refer to items that remain after a larger portion has been consumed or used, particularly in contexts like food or materials. For example, "We used the leftover paint to touch up the walls."

Common error

Avoid using "leftover" to describe abstract concepts or feelings. "Remaining" or "residual" are more appropriate in such contexts. For instance, instead of saying "leftover sadness", consider "lingering sadness".

Linguistic Context

The word "leftover" functions primarily as an adjective and noun. As an adjective, it modifies nouns, indicating something remaining. As a noun, it refers to the item itself that is left behind. As Ludwig AI confirms, the term is correct and usable in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Lifestyle

32%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Tech

6%

Opinion

4%

Science

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "leftover" is a common and grammatically sound word, functioning both as an adjective and a noun to describe items that remain after a portion has been used. According to Ludwig AI, it is correct and usable in written English. Its usage spans various contexts, from everyday discussions about food to more formal settings like news articles. While primarily neutral in register, "leftover" is most frequently found in news and lifestyle content. When using "leftover", ensure it appropriately describes remaining items, and avoid applying it to abstract concepts where terms like "remaining" or "residual" may be more fitting.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

remaining

Focuses on the act of something staying behind after a portion has been used.

residual

Implies something that remains as a residue after a process.

unused

Emphasizes that something has not been utilized.

extra

Highlights that there is more than what is needed.

surplus

Suggests an excess of something, often in a formal context.

excess

Indicates an amount that is more than necessary, desirable, or useful.

remainder

Refers to the portion that is left after something is taken away.

balance

Refers to what is left over after other parts are subtracted or used.

remnant

Focuses on a small part remaining after the rest is used or destroyed.

residue

Points to a substance that remains after a process.

FAQs

How is the word "leftover" typically used?

The word "leftover" is typically used to describe something that remains after the main portion has been used or consumed, such as "leftover food" from a meal or "leftover materials" from a project.

What can I say instead of "leftover"?

You can use alternatives like "remaining", "residual", or "unused" depending on the context. For example, "remaining ingredients" or "residual effects".

Is it correct to use "leftover" as an adjective?

Yes, "leftover" can be used as an adjective to describe something that is remaining, such as "leftover pizza" or "leftover supplies".

What is the difference between "leftover" and "surplus"?

"Leftover" typically refers to what remains after something has been used or consumed, often in a domestic context. "Surplus", on the other hand, suggests an excess of something, often in a more formal or business setting. For example, "leftover dinner" versus "surplus inventory".