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 miscellaneous, fragmentary, or other writings still unpublished at the time of an author's death.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

• unremaining 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

Though O’Brien is flexing his emotional range here, his hunky sincerity lands in part because Sweeney remains steady in the opposite registry.

From Los Angeles Times

Last year, the city said that even though the shelter ban remained on its books, it would not be enforced.

From Los Angeles Times

Our investigation is continuing at pace and remains a priority.

From BBC

The video claims to show Guy Gilboa-Dalal in Gaza City in late August, where he says he and eight others are being held and will remain despite Israel's planned ground offensive.

From BBC

Though it may be easier to turn from the darkest realities of our times, the danger remains whether we’re willing to see it or not.

From Salon

Related Words

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