remnant
A remaining part of something after the rest has been used or removed
Examples
In a meeting
“These policies are remnants of our old organizational structure”
Over coffee
“There are just remnants of pizza left in the fridge”
Why this word
remainder
remainder is what's mathematically left; remnant emphasizes a small surviving piece of something once larger
leftover
leftover is informal and suggests unused portions; remnant implies fragments surviving after destruction or use
trace
trace suggests barely detectable amount; remnant indicates a small but distinct surviving portion
Usage tip
Use for what remains after something larger has been mostly consumed or destroyed
Etymology
Latin 'remanere' from 're-' (back) + 'manere' (to stay)
Get a new word every morning
One precise word per day. Under 60 seconds to read. Free forever.
Related words
ample
More than enough; plentiful and sufficient.
negligible
So small or unimportant as to not be worth considering.
excessive
More than what is necessary, normal, or desirable; too much.
nominal
Very small or far below the actual value
marginal
Small and not very important or significant; at the edge or border.
substantial
Considerable in importance, size, or worth.