remains

Meanings

1. 1nounplural

   The parts of something that are left after the rest has been used, destroyed, or taken away.

   Grammar: Always plural: the remains were scattered.

   Patterns

   • the remains of something

   We found the remains of a campfire near the lake.

   Workers cleared the remains of the burned warehouse.

   The remains of the meal were given to the dog.

2. 2nounpluralformal

   A person's or animal's dead body, especially when old or found long after death.

   Grammar: Used with plural verb: the remains were identified.

   Patterns

   • human remains
   • the remains of someone

   Scientists examined the remains found in the cave.

   The remains were returned to the family for burial.

   Police identified the remains using dental records.

3. 3nounplural

   Old buildings or objects that survive from the distant past.

   Grammar: Used for historical sites: Roman remains.

   Patterns

   • ancient remains

   Tourists visit the Roman remains in the city center.

   The remains of a medieval castle stand on the hill.

   Archaeologists uncovered Bronze Age remains beneath the field.

Common combinations

human remains

Human remains were discovered during the dig.

the remains of

The remains of the bridge lay in the river.

ancient remains

Ancient remains lie beneath the town.

charred remains

Charred remains were all that was left of the barn.

fossil remains

Fossil remains show where the creature lived.

identify remains

Experts worked to identify the remains.

Synonyms and how they differ

leftovers

Leftovers refers to uneaten food, which is more casual than remains.

ruins

Ruins are damaged buildings, a narrower use than the general remains.

relics

Relics are objects kept from the past with historical or religious value.

remnants

Remnants suggests small pieces left over, often fabric or traces.

Opposites

Word family

remain verb

to stay or be left

remainder noun

the part left over

remaining adjective

still left

remnant noun

a small leftover piece

Commonly confused: remains or remainder?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “remains”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

Explore more words