remainder
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
n.the part of something that is left after other parts have gone or been dealt with.
n.the remaining part or number of something after the others have been removed, used, or completed.
Simple“I will finish the remainder of my homework after I eat dinner.”
In context“The board of directors decided to invest the remainder of the annual budget into renewable energy research and development.”
UsageUsually follows 'the' and is followed by 'of'.
- 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
n.the amount left over when one number cannot be divided exactly by another.
n.the integer left over after dividing one number by another to produce a whole-number quotient.
Simple“If you divide seven by three, the answer is two with a remainder of one.”
In context“The algorithm calculates the remainder of the division to determine if the input integer is even or odd.”
UsageOften used in the context of long division or modular arithmetic.
Synonyms - 03 C1 Advanced
n.books that have not sold well and are now being sold at a very low price.
n.copies of a book that remain unsold after demand has fallen, typically sold at a reduced price by the publisher.
Simple“I found a beautiful hardback book for only two dollars in the remainder section.”
In context“The publisher was forced to sell the first edition as a remainder after the sequel failed to generate the expected market interest.”
Teacher's tipThis is a specific industry term in publishing; learners may see these in 'bargain' bins at bookstores.
- 04 C2 Proficiency
n.a right to own property in the future after someone else's right to it ends.
n.a future interest in real property that becomes effective only upon the natural termination of a prior estate created at the same time.
Simple“The house was left to his wife for her life, with the remainder going to his son.”
In context“The deed specified that the daughter held a vested remainder in the family estate, ensuring her ownership after her father's life interest expired.”
UsageUsed as a countable noun in property law contexts.
Synonymsreversion - 05 C1 Advanced
v.to reduce the price of books that did not sell so they can be cleared out.
v.to dispose of unsold stock, particularly books, by reducing the price significantly.
Simple“The shop decided to remainder the old textbooks to make room for new editions.”
In context“Once the title was remaindered, it became nearly impossible for the author to earn further royalties from those specific copies.”
UsageUsually used in the passive voice.
Usage remainder of
“Two releases will follow in October and January for the remainder of the tapestry’s stay in Britain, which runs until July 2027.”
“If their work is purchased, the artist receives half of the profits with the remainder used to fund the purchase of materials for others on the scheme.”
From Middle English remaindre, remeigner, from Anglo-Norman remaindre, with infinitive used as noun.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.