Remain — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb noun /ri-ˈmān/ re·main

Meaning & Definition of Remain

Remain (verb)

  1. to be a part not destroyed, taken, or used up
  2. to be something yet to be shown, done, or treated
  3. to stay in the same place or with the same person or group; especially, to stay behind

Remain (noun)

  1. a dead body
  2. a remaining part or trace —usually used in plural
  3. stay

Remain (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to continue to be in a place for a significant amount of time

    "one of the three bridges known as the London Bridge, it was moved in the late 1960s to Lake Havasu City, Arizona, where it remains today"

    similar: abide, dwell, hang around, stay, stick around, tarry
    related: await, hang on, hold on, wait, dally, dawdle, linger, loiter, outstay, overstay
    opposite: bail, bail out, bug out, buzz (off), clear off (chiefly British), clear out, cut out, depart, exit, get off, go, go off, leave, move, pack (up or off), peel off, pike (out or off), pull out, push off, push on, quit, shove (off), take off, vamoose, walk out
    near: abscond, book (slang), decamp, escape, evacuate, flee, fly, get out, run away, scat, scram, skip, abandon, desert, forsake, vacate

  2. to remain indefinitely in existence or in the same state

    "the fact remains: it's still impossible to be in two places at once"

    similar: abide, bide, continue, endure, hold on, hold up, keep up, last, perdure, persist, run on
    related: linger, stay, stick around, tarry, carry through, prevail, survive
    opposite: cease, close, conclude, desist, die, discontinue, end, expire, finish, lapse, leave off, pass, quit, stop, terminate, wind up
    near: abate, die (down), ebb, let up, moderate, subside, wane

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Remain

The most common words with a similar meaning to Remain:

abide, dwell, hang around, stay, stick around, tarry, bide, continue, endure, hold on, hold up, keep up, last, perdure, persist, run on

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Remain

Words with the opposite meaning of Remain:

bail, bail out, bug out, buzz (off), clear off, clear out, cut out, depart, exit, get off, go, go off, leave, move, pack (up or off), peel off, pike (out or off), pull out, push off, push on, quit, shove (off), take off, vamoose, walk out, cease, close, conclude, desist, die

Related Words for Remain

await, hang on, wait, dally, dawdle, linger, loiter, outstay, overstay, carry through, prevail, survive

Near Antonyms of Remain

abscond, book, decamp, escape, evacuate, flee, fly, get out, run away, scat, scram, skip, abandon, desert, forsake, vacate, abate, die (down), ebb, let up, moderate, subside, wane

Word Forms of Remain

Inflections: remained, remaining, remains

Origin & Etymology of Remain

Middle English, from Anglo-French remaindre, from Latin remanēre, from re- + manēre to remain mansion

First known use: 15th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Remain

Words & Phrases Containing Remain

remain to be seen, right to remain silent

Frequently Asked Questions about Remain

What does "Remain" mean?

"Remain" means to be a part not destroyed, taken, or used up. As an a verb and a noun, it is defined as: to be a part not destroyed, taken, or used up. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Remain"?

Other words for "Remain" include abide, dwell, hang around, stay, stick around, tarry, bide and continue. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Remain" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Remain"?

There are 28 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Remain". Common alternatives include abide, dwell, hang around, stay, stick around, tarry, bide, continue, endure and hold on.

What is the opposite of "Remain"?

Antonyms of "Remain" include bail, bail out, bug out, buzz (off), clear off, clear out, cut out and depart. Near antonyms include abscond, book, decamp and escape.

How do you use "Remain" in a sentence?

Examples of "Remain" in a sentence: "one of the three bridges known as the London Bridge, it was moved in the late 1960s to Lake Havasu City, Arizona, where it remains today"; "the fact remains: it's still impossible to be in two places at once".

Is "Remain" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Remain" can be used as a verb and a noun, depending on the context.

Is "Remain" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a B1-level word, "Remain" is typical of Cambridge B1 Preliminary (PET), IELTS band 4.0–5.0, TOEFL iBT 42–71, PTE Academic 43–58, TOEIC Listening & Reading 550+.

How do you pronounce "Remain"?

"Remain" is pronounced /ri-ˈmān/ and divided into syllables as re·main.