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 miscellaneous, fragmentary, or other writings still unpublished at the time of an author's death.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

Even with lifelong ART treatment, the virus remains latent in reservoirs throughout the body that can reactivate at any time, and over the long-term, these reservoirs can contribute to chronic inflammation and comorbidities.

From Science Daily

Much remains to be seen in terms of what tariffs will be implemented and how these will affect inflation, corporate profits, the labor market and other factors.

From Salon

They said it was the fault of the White House that Ibarra, who entered the US unlawfully in 2022, was able to remain in the country despite his criminal record.

From BBC

But questions remain about how the Lebanese troops would operate against Hezbollah, which is heavily armed and backed by Iran, amid fears this could exacerbate sectarian tensions.

From BBC

He is expected to conduct "very little public-facing activity" before leaving the post, the statement said, adding that he "plans to honour a small number of remaining commitments".

From BBC

Related Words

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