remain

[ ri-meyn ]

verb (used without object)

1. to continue in the same state; continue to be as specified:

   to remain at peace.

   Synonyms: stay, abide

2. to stay behind or in the same place:

   to remain at home;

   I'll remain here when you go to the airport.

   Synonyms: rest, tarry, wait

   Antonyms: depart

3. to be left after the removal, loss, destruction, etc., of all else:

   The front wall is all that remains of the fort.

   Synonyms: abide, endure

4. to be left to be done, told, shown, etc.:

   Only the dishwashing remains.

5. to be reserved or in store.

noun

1. Usually remains. something that remains or is left.
2. remains,
   1. miscellaneous, fragmentary, or other writings still unpublished at the time of an author's death.
   2. traces of some quality, condition, etc.
   3. a dead body; corpse.
   4. parts or substances remaining from animal or plant life that occur in the earth's crust or strata:

      fossil remains;

      organic remains.

remain

/ rɪˈmeɪn /

verb

1. to stay behind or in the same place

   to remain at home

   only Tom remained

2. copula to continue to be

   to remain cheerful

3. to be left, as after use, consumption, the passage of time, etc

   a little wine still remained in the bottle

4. to be left to be done, said, etc

   it remains to be pointed out

Other Words From

• unre·maining adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of remain¹

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English remainen, from Anglo-French remain-, stressed stem of Middle French remanoir, from Latin remanēre, equivalent to re- re- + manēre “to stay”; manor

Word History and Origins

Origin of remain¹

C14: from Old French remanoir , from Latin remanēre to be left, from re- + manēre to stay

Synonym Study

See continue.

Example Sentences

Despite the previous evidence that schooling requirement laws impact cognition in older adults, gaps in equitable research remain.

From Science Daily

But an actual image of the star had remained elusive.

From Science Daily

In film and television, Nazis, historic and contemporary, remain the ultimate villain, but we really love to hate the British Bad Guy.

From Los Angeles Times

A British woman, an Australian woman, a US man and two Danish nationals have died, while another Australian woman remains critically ill in hospital.

From BBC

"We’re sometimes faced with allegations of crime where people have strong opposing views. That’s why we work so hard to remain impartial and to investigate allegations, regardless of where they might lead."

From BBC

Related Words

• continue
• endure
• go on
• hover
• last
• linger
• live
• persist
• prevail
• stand
• stop
• survive
• wait