Word
remains
Phoneticsre·mains, stress on the second syllable
US/ɹiˈmeɪnz/
UK/ɹɪmˈeɪnz/
Definitions
01leftover parts
B2 · Upper Intermediate Plural noun
n. the parts of something that are left after the rest has been taken, used, or destroyed.
n. the parts or portions of something that are left over after the main part has been removed, consumed, or destroyed.
日本語:あまり※
“The remains of our picnic were still scattered across the grass.”
“The remains of the abandoned factory stood as a grim reminder of the town's industrial decline.”
Usage
Always used in the plural form.
02a dead body
C1 · Advanced Plural noun Formal
n. the body of a person or animal after they have died.
n. the physical body of a deceased person or organism; often used as a more respectful or formal term than 'corpse'.
日本語:遺体※
“The soldier's remains were returned to his family for a proper burial.”
“Forensic experts were called to the site to identify the human remains discovered during the excavation.”
Usage
Plural-only noun.
03historical relics
B2 · Upper Intermediate Plural noun Science
n. objects or buildings from the past that still exist today.
n. the surviving parts of ancient structures or civilizations, typically of archaeological interest.
日本語:遺跡※
“We visited the remains of an old Roman temple during our holiday.”
“Archaeologists spent decades uncovering the remains of the ancient city, revealing a sophisticated network of stone aqueducts.”
Usage
Plural-only noun.
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “remains” in context.
Verb
01. identify the remains
“Forensic experts are working tirelessly to identify the remains found at the site.”
verb + noun
Adjective
02. skeletal remains
“The skeletal remains were found deep within the limestone cave system.”
adj + noun
03. charred remains
“Investigators sifted through the charred remains of the building to find the cause of the fire.”
adj + noun
Preposition
04. among the remains
“Several valuable artifacts were discovered among the remains of the ancient city.”
prep + noun
05. remains one
06. remains unclear
07. remains ongoing
08. remains widely
09. remains high
10. remains highly
11. remains largely
12. remains open
Real-World Examples
“Ancient proteins, which are hardier than ancient DNA, have since proved most reliable for identifying Denisovan remains.” “The National Transportation Safety Board said it had found a bird’s remains and feathers on a broken engine.” “Whether Chelsea would actually turn down one of the biggest transfer offers in history - if it came a few days later - remains to be seen.” In Literature
Original artwork created for englishreference.com.
The Remains of the Day · 1989-05-01 · Historical fiction, postmodern fiction
- Author:
- Kazuo Ishiguro
Kazuo Ishiguro’s 1989 novel follows an elderly butler named Stevens as he reflects on his life of service during a motoring trip through the English countryside. The title refers to the final hours of a person's life and the lingering memories that are left over after their best years have passed. As Stevens looks back, he questions whether his absolute professional devotion was worth the personal sacrifices he made.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Very common
- Level
- C1 · AdvancedOxford
- Updated
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「日本語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0