DictionaryAI

remain

ri-MAYN/ɹɪˈmeɪn/

Verbremains, remaining, remained

Noun pluralremains

7 meanings of remain

Practice

  1. 1
    stay unchangedverbintransitive
    To stay the same, or to stay where you are, and not change.

    Like a rock that stays in one spot no matter how the river flows around it.

    Few things remain the same forever.

    The old photos remained in the box for years.

    UsageOften followed by a describing word: remain calm. Stay is the more everyday word.

    Note
  2. 2
    be left oververbintransitive
    To be still there after other people or things have gone or been taken away.

    Like the last few cookies left on the plate after a party.

    Only a few guests remain at the end of the party.

    After the fire, little remained of the house.

    UsageOften with only or what: only a few remain, what remains of the cake.

    Note
  3. 3
    leftover partsnounplural
    The parts of something that are left after the rest is gone or used up.

    Like the crumbs left on a plate after the cake is gone.

    They cleared away the remains of the meal.

    Only the remains of the old bridge are still visible.

    UsageUsually the remains of something, and it takes are or were. For an amount left, say the rest.

    Similarremnants, ruins, debris, residue, leftovers

  4. 4
    still to doverbintransitive
    To be still left to do, happen, or be decided.

    Like one last chore still waiting to be done.

    Many tasks still remain before the project is done.

    Only one thing remained: to say goodbye.

    UsageCommon phrases: it remains to be seen (we do not know yet) and it remains for someone to act.

    Note
  5. 5
    dead bodynounplural
    What is left of a person's body after they have died.

    The soldier's remains were brought home for burial.

    Workers found human remains beneath the old building.

    UsageUse are or were with it: his remains were brought home. People often say human remains.

    Similarbody, corpse, bones, cadaver

    Note

Less common meanings

  1. 6
    writings after deathnounplural
    The works, especially writings, that a person leaves behind when they die.

    Like a box of unfinished drawings found in an artist's studio after they are gone.

    His literary remains were published a year after his death.

    Scholars gathered the playwright's literary remains into a single volume.

    UsageUsually literary remains or musical remains.

    Similarpapers, writings

    Note
  2. 7
    nounobsolete
    The act or time of staying in a place.
    Note

Practice

Can you tell the meanings of remain apart? Answer 3 quick questions from this page, or write your own sentence and AI will check it.

Origin

It comes from Latin remaneo, from maneo, meaning to stay, through Old French and Middle English.

Checked 5 Nov 2026 · 3 facts