What does remainder mean?
A remainder is the part of something that is left after another part has been used, removed, shared, or completed. It may refer to leftover food or materials, the remaining portion of a day or journey, or the amount left after a mathematical division. The word is useful because it emphasizes what persists after a subtraction or allocation rather than describing the whole from the outset. In ordinary conversation, alternatives such as leftovers, balance, or rest may sound more familiar, while remainder often suggests a formally calculated or clearly defined remainder. It is also the conventional noun in mathematics for the amount remaining after one quantity is divided by another.
nounThe part of something that is left over after another part has been used, removed, or distributed. It can also refer to the final portion of a period of time or a mathematical quantity left after division.
- The portion of something that remains after use, removal, distribution, or completion of another portion.
- The final part of a period of time or process.
- The amount left after a calculation, especially in mathematical division.
"We spent most of the afternoon discussing the proposal, but the remainder of the meeting was devoted to budget questions."
"He reserved the remainder of the afternoon for writing."
"The remainder of the food was stored in the refrigerator."
The plural is regular but relatively uncommon; in mathematical contexts, remainder often remains singular when referring to a result.
"The two remainders were combined into a single balance."
A remainder is what survives the subtraction: the final portion, leftover amount, or mathematical result that is left behind.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does remainder come from?
The word entered English in the late 14th century in the sense of what is left or remains. It comes through Anglo-French from Latin remanere, formed from re- ‘back’ and manere ‘to stay’. The same Latin root underlies remain, remnant, remanent, and remunerate, which developed through related meanings involving staying, remaining, or what is left.
Related word forms
How remainder is actually used
Generally formal or neutral. In everyday speech, leftovers is often more natural when referring to unused food or objects.
Easily confused with remainder
Remain is a verb meaning to continue or to stay, whereas a remainder is the portion that is left after something has been used or dealt with.