What does residue mean?
A residue is what remains after another substance or process has been removed. Most commonly, it means a small deposit left after liquid evaporates or a chemical or food product is processed, as in “oil residue” or “pesticide residue.” The word can also be used more broadly for a trace or lingering remainder, such as “a residue of suspicion.” It is normal in both British and American English and is especially common in scientific, culinary, environmental, and legal contexts. Unlike “remains,” which can refer to several surviving parts, “residue” often emphasizes a small or unwanted quantity left behind. It can also refer formally to property remaining in an estate after debts and other obligations have been settled.
A small amount of material left after a substance has been removed, used, dissolved, or processed; also, a trace or remaining portion of something.
"The jar had a residue of dried honey around its rim."
The word is common in technical and formal contexts and can have a slightly negative connotation when referring to unwanted material left behind.
To leave behind a residue or remainder.
"The evaporated brine residue on the burner."
This use is uncommon and mainly occurs in technical or literary writing.
The plural is used when referring to separate remaining substances, deposits, traces, or amounts.
"The laboratory tested the residues for contamination."
The word comes from the Latin verb residere, literally “to sit back” or “remain,” so a residue is what stays behind after everything else has departed.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does residue come from?
The word comes through French from Latin residere, formed from re- meaning “back” and sedere meaning “to sit.” Its original sense was something that remained or stayed behind. Latin forms related to the same root include residere, residens (“remaining” or “resident”), and residuum (“that which remains”), which later contributed to English words such as resident, residual, and residue.
Related word forms
How residue is actually used
In scientific and technical contexts, residue usually refers to material remaining after processing or evaporation. In general contexts, it can mean a slight trace or an abstract remainder.
Easily confused with residue
A residue is the material or matter left behind, whereas a residual describes what remains or is left over, often in a broader or more abstract sense.