Remnant

ˈrɛmnənt

nounmediumCommonGeneral

Definitions

2 meanings
1

A small part or amount of something that is left over after the greater part has been used or destroyed.

ˈrɛmnənt

nounneutralmedium
General

A small part of something that is left after the main part is gone or used

The old house was just a remnant of its former glory.

💡 Simply: Imagine you eat a big pizza. The leftover slices are the *remnant* – the part that’s still there after you've eaten most of it. Like, the *remnant* of a beautiful dress might be a small piece of fabric left over from the tailoring.

👶 For kids: Something left over, like the last cookie after you ate all the others!

More Examples

2

After the fire, only a few remnants of the building remained.

3

The store sold remnants of fabric at a discounted price.

How It's Used

General Usage

"The museum displayed the remnants of an ancient civilization."

Historical Context

"The archaeologists found remnants of a Roman villa."

Literary Context

"The story describes the psychological remnants of war on the protagonist."

2

Remaining or left over; pertaining to a small part that remains.

ˈrɛmnənt

adjectiveneutralAdvanced
General

Remaining; left over

Remnant fabric is often sold at a reduced price.

💡 Simply: If something is *remnant*, it's like the last piece of cake, the part that still remains. Think of the *remnant* stock in a shop.

👶 For kids: The stuff that's left! Like leftover pieces.

More Examples

2

The remnant soldiers prepared for a final defense.

How It's Used

Sales

"Remnant fabric is often sold cheaply."

Business

"The company had to sell the remnant stock at a discount."

Tip:Think of something *remaining* after something else.

From Middle English *remenaunt*, from Anglo-Norman *remenaunt*, from Old French *remanant* ('remaining, residue'), present participle of *remanoir* ('to remain'), from Latin *remanere* ('to remain').

The word has been used since the 14th century and originally referred to something that was left over.

Memory tip

Think of a piece of fabric left after cutting clothes - that's a remnant!

Word Origin

Root: remanere

remanentremnint

Usage

30%Spoken
70%Written