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 miscellaneous, fragmentary, or other writings still unpublished at the time of an author's death.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

He did not confirm that he would stand, saying it was "not a statement of intent" but would mean running remained a possibility.

From BBC

It remains to be seen how the Doge will operate.

From BBC

Despite the presence of Iran-backed militia groups in Syria, this frontier has remained relatively calm, as Israeli ground forces have battled Iranian allies in Gaza and Lebanon over the past 13 months.

From BBC

However it remains comparatively tiny, with 15 million users worldwide.

From BBC

Disparities remain stark in the home as well.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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