Leftover is food that remains uneaten after a meal. When your family makes spaghetti for dinner and there's still half a pot on the stove afterward, that's a leftover. Many families store leftovers in the refrigerator to eat later, often the next day for lunch or dinner.

The word can describe any remainder. After wrapping presents, you might have leftover ribbon and paper. After building something with blocks, there might be leftover pieces that didn't fit into your design. In these cases, leftover describes whatever is left when the main activity or purpose is finished.

Some people love leftovers because reheated pizza or cold fried chicken can taste just as good the second time around. Others prefer fresh meals. Either way, using leftovers instead of throwing food away saves money and reduces waste. The word can also be an adjective: you might eat leftover turkey sandwiches for days after a holiday dinner.