What does "remnant" mean?
A small portion remaining of a larger thing or group; part of a former whole.
Remnant
/ˈɹɛmnənt/ adj, noun
adj, noun ·Common ·High school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: A small portion remaining of a larger thing or group; part of a former whole.
- Grammar: remnant is listed as adj, noun.
- Nearest alternatives: remainder, residue, afterglow, afterglows.
- Useful contrasts: clear absence, entirety, majority.
- Usage evidence: The pursued remnant of soldiers decided it was high time for a show-down one way or another.
How to use "remnant"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "remnant" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "remnant" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "remnant" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "remnant" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "remnant" is acting as adj, noun in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "remainder" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "remnant", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 A small portion remaining of a larger thing or group; part of a former whole.
"The remnants of the Neanderthal race mixed with members of Homo sapiens."
- 2 a piece of cloth that is left over after the rest has been used or sold wordnet
- 3 The remaining fabric at the end of the bolt.
"Usually not enough to make an entire project by itself, remnants of several fabrics can be used to make quilts."
- 4 a small part or portion that remains after the main part no longer exists wordnet
- 5 An unsold end of piece goods, as cloth, ribbons, carpets, etc.
"All the remnants were sold in the flea market."
Show 1 more definition
- 6 The passionate, influential minority of radicals in a faction or party.
Adjective
- 1 Still left; remaining. archaic, not-comparable
"[H]is vow was made in his ſickneſſe, whileſt reaſon was ſcarce as yet in the peaceable poſſeſſion of his mind, becauſe of the remnant dregs of his diſeaſe: […]"
Example
"The pursued remnant of soldiers decided it was high time for a show-down one way or another."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "remnant"?
Common synonyms include: remainder, residue, afterglow, afterglows, afterimage, artifact.
How do you use "remnant" in a sentence?
The pursued remnant of soldiers decided it was high time for a show-down one way or another.
How do you pronounce "remnant"?
Pronounced /ˈɹɛmnənt/.
Etymology
From Middle English, contraction of remenant, from Anglo-Norman remanant, present participle of remaindre, from Latin remaneō.