vestige

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'vestige' is correct and usable in written English.
It is a noun that means a trace, remnant, or mark of something that once existed or was present but is now absent or diminished. For example: "The yearbook was a vestige of the school's past, a reminder of traditions that had been passed down for generations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But at Mr McConnell's own victory party, his Kentuckian colleague in the Senate, Rand Paul, offered a different vision, vowing: "We will send the president bill after bill until he wearies of it," including moves to repeal every "vestige" of Obamacare, the president's flagship health law.Americans have sent Mr Obama a loud warning and given Republicans a governing majority in Congress.

The Economist

The oil boss still bears a vestige of the agitator of 15 years ago.

The Economist

Though Keynes saw quite clearly that the English aristocratic class seldom made the best use of its leisure, it's hard not to see his bias against commerce and consumption as a vestige of aristocratic ideology about the inherent degradation of market activity.

The Economist

Next time, could you send a reminder closer to the date of the event.Nicolas de Mascarel Hong Kong Argentinas debtSIR – The observation that completing Argentina's debtSIRap and reaching a seTheement with bobservationwould enable "Argenthat to remove the last vestige of its 2001-02 ecompletingllArgentinaa significant overstatement ("Better late than never", September 27th).

The Economist

FOR two decades, since a short war with Moldova ended in 1992, the self-declared republic of Transdniestria has been an unreconstructed vestige of the Soviet Union, a narrow slash of land stuck in a time warp.

The Economist

And the "paramilitary" incident is the perfect excuse for a crackdown".This is a country in which the last vestige of the rule of law has vanished," said Rafael Marín, an opposition legislator, after an attempted raid this week on his house, ordered by a military judge.

The Economist

He is scrapping the Planning Commission, a vestige of centralised economic thinking.

The Economist

The grotesque reluctance of the ruling junta to allow foreigners to help the desperate Burmese has shredded whatever vestige of respect it enjoyed internationally.

The Economist

Any vestige of the previous government's anti-corruption drive, for example, has been abandoned.

The Economist

The vestige of a legal basis for such a process is in the ICC's statute.

The Economist

Despite the many stains on his reputation locking up opponents, rampant cronyism, not to mention his occasional, infelicitous use of prison slang Viktor Yanukovych retained, until recently, the vestige of respectability that the presidency of a nation of 46m confers.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "vestige", ensure the context clearly indicates what the trace or remnant is related to. This helps maintain clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "vestige" to describe something that is still actively present or significant. "Vestige" implies a diminished or disappearing presence.

Linguistic Context

The word "vestige" functions primarily as a noun. Ludwig AI indicates that it denotes a remaining trace or visible sign of something that no longer exists or is fading away, such as "the last vestige of Democratic rule in Texas".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Encyclopedias

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Academia

5%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the word "vestige" is a noun that describes a remaining trace or sign of something that has disappeared or is fading away. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and commonly used across various domains, particularly in news, encyclopedias, and scientific contexts. The term implies a sense of decline or historical remnant, as seen in examples like "the last vestige of Democratic rule". When using "vestige", ensure clarity regarding the original entity and its diminished status. Consider related terms such as "trace", "remnant", and "relic" to fine-tune your expression based on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

trace

Focuses on the mark or sign left behind by something.

remnant

Emphasizes the remaining part of something that has been destroyed or worn out.

relic

Highlights an object surviving from an earlier time, often of historical interest.

residue

Refers to what remains after a process or event.

mark

Focuses on a visible impression or sign.

sign

Highlights something that indicates the existence or presence of something else.

indication

Points to something that suggests a fact or quality.

echo

Implies a lingering reminder or effect.

shadow

Suggests a faint or weakened form of something.

footprint

Emphasizes the lasting impact or evidence left behind.

FAQs

How can I use "vestige" in a sentence?

You can use "vestige" to describe a remaining trace or sign of something that has disappeared or no longer exists. For example, "The old building was the last vestige of a bygone era."

What words can I use instead of "vestige"?

You can use alternatives such as "trace", "remnant", or "relic" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "a vestige of hope remains"?

Yes, that's a correct and common usage. It means that even though the situation is bleak, there's still a small "trace" of hope left.

What's the difference between "vestige" and "legacy"?

"Vestige" refers to a remaining trace of something that is disappearing, while "legacy" refers to something passed down or inherited. A legacy is actively carried on, while a "vestige" is a fading reminder.