ENGLISH
REFERENCE

remains

n. uncountable
C1 Advanced Oxford US //ɹiˈmeɪnz// UK //ɹɪmˈeɪnz// re·mains Archaic

n. the parts of something that are left after the rest has been used, destroyed, or has died. You often use this word for old buildings or the bodies of people from the past.

n. the parts or substances that continue to exist after the majority has been removed, consumed, or destroyed; specifically, the physical body of a deceased person or animal.


SIMPLE

The remains of the old castle sit on top of the hill.

CONTEXTUAL

Archaeologists discovered the remains of a Roman villa while digging the foundations for the new shopping center.

COMPLEX

While the fire destroyed the entire library, the charred remains of several ancient scrolls were recovered from the basement and sent to a laboratory for restoration.

Synonyms
Antonyms
Usage

Always used in the plural form; functions as an uncountable plural noun.

Pitfall

A remain of the meal was on the plate.The remains of the meal were on the plate.The noun 'remains' is always plural and cannot be used in the singular form to mean 'leftovers'.

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