leftovers

Meaning

'Leftovers' refers to the food that remains uneaten at the end of a meal, which is typically saved to be eaten later. It is a plural noun used in everyday, casual, and neutral contexts.

Examples

• We had so much food at Thanksgiving that we ate leftovers for three days.

  We had so much food at Thanksgiving that we ate leftovers for three days.

• Don't throw away that extra pasta; we can put the leftovers in the fridge.

  Don't throw away that extra pasta; we can put the leftovers in the fridge.

• I brought some leftovers from last night's dinner for my lunch today.

  I brought some leftovers from last night's dinner for my lunch today.

• If you're still hungry, there are some leftovers in the microwave.

  If you're still hungry, there are some leftovers in the microwave.

• She is great at turning leftovers into completely new and delicious meals.

  She is great at turning leftovers into completely new and delicious meals.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ I will eat the leftover for lunch.

  ✓ I will eat the leftovers for lunch.

  When referring to the remaining food saved for later, the noun is almost always plural: 'leftovers'. 'Leftover' is usually used as an adjective (e.g., 'leftover pizza').

• ✗ There is some left-overs in the kitchen.

  ✓ There are some leftovers in the kitchen.

  Since 'leftovers' is a plural noun, it must take a plural verb ('there are' instead of 'there is').

Related Expressions

Practice

• I don't feel like cooking, so I'll just heat up some ___ from yesterday.

  💡 Food remaining from a previous meal.

  Show answer

  leftovers

• Make sure to pack the ___ in a container before putting them in the fridge.

  💡 Remaining uneaten food.

  Show answer

  leftovers