left·over
ˈleft-ˌō-vər 
1
: something that remains unused or unconsumed
especially
: leftover food served at a later meal
—usually used in plural
2
: an anachronistic survival : vestige
: not consumed or used
leftover food
leftover space
Examples of leftover in a Sentence
Noun
Are we having leftovers again?
The law is a leftover from earlier times.
Recent Examples on the Web
Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 9 Feb. 2026
Most of the time, breakups are supposed to be clean-cut endings—no second thoughts, no leftover feelings, and generally, no contact.
—Jenna Ryu, SELF, 9 Feb. 2026
Justin Lewis, CBS News, 5 Feb. 2026
And with each cup of steaming or iced coffee made on a machine that doesn't use pods comes leftover coffee grounds.
—Cody Godwin, USA Today, 7 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for leftover
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Noun
But, in an effort to alleviate some of the insult to injury this task requires, reach for your pile of leftover cardboard instead.
—Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 9 Feb. 2026
Most of the time, breakups are supposed to be clean-cut endings—no second thoughts, no leftover feelings, and generally, no contact.
—Jenna Ryu, SELF, 9 Feb. 2026
Adjective
Saturday features leftover light snow, mainly east, amounting to a coating to three inches.
—Justin Lewis, CBS News, 5 Feb. 2026
And with each cup of steaming or iced coffee made on a machine that doesn't use pods comes leftover coffee grounds.
—Cody Godwin, USA Today, 7 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for leftover
Cite this Entry
“Leftover.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/leftover. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
