remainder

The part that is left after the rest has been used, removed, or finished.

• I ate half and saved the remainder.
• They spent the remainder of their holiday by the sea.
• Divide the remainder equally between the children.

How to use it: the remainder of something (We spent the remainder of the day at home.)

Similar words: rest, remnant

Common phrases: the remainder of something, for the remainder, divide the remainder

The number left when a number cannot be divided into equal whole parts.

• Eight divided by three leaves a remainder of two.
• The division has no remainder.
• What remainder do you get when you divide seventeen by five?

How to use it: a remainder of + number (Ten divided by three gives a remainder of one.)

Common phrases: a remainder of two, with no remainder, find the remainder

An unsold item offered at a lower price to clear stock, especially a book.

• I bought the book as a remainder.
• The shop sells remainders at very low prices.
• Several unsold novels ended up in the remainder sale.

Common phrases: buy a remainder, publisher remainders, remainder sale

To reduce the price of unsold items, especially books, to clear stock.

• The publisher remaindered the unsold books.
• Shops often remainder older editions to make room for new ones.
• They decided to remainder the remaining copies after sales slowed.

Common phrases: remainder unsold books, remainder old stock