residual
noun · adjective
Simple meaning
A remainder left over at the end of some process.
Pronunciation
Say it like this:
rihzijoouhlSay the bold part a little louder.
IPA pronunciation (US)
ɹɪˈzɪdʒuəl
This word is pronounced essentially the same in American and British English, so one transcription covers both.
IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) is a standard way of writing speech sounds.
Definition
Everyday modern meanings first, grouped by part of speech.
noun
chiefly in the plural
Payments made to performers, writers and directors when a recorded broadcast is repeated.
A remainder left over at the end of some process.
adjective
Of, relating to, or remaining as a residue; left over.
Word at a Glance
- Difficulty
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Frequency
- Moderately Common
- Typical Use
- Neutral / general English
Word Aura™
How this word commonly comes across.
Aura for this meaning
This meaning: Payments made to performers, writers and directors when a recorded broadcast is repeated.
Used this way, residual is a reasonably familiar word that usually carries little praise or criticism of its own. It turns up most in news or reporting contexts.
- Emotional tone
- Neutral
- Formality
- Neutral
- Intensity
- Not strongly marked
- How common
- Moderately common
- Connotation
- Matter-of-fact
- Usage feel
- Neutral and straightforward
Where it naturally appears
- News/reporting
Word Aura describes common impressions, not a measurement. Tone changes with sentence, speaker, relationship and situation.
More ways to use residual
- “He could retire on his residuals.”noun
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Common Patterns and Combinations
How this word naturally appears with others.
Word Family
Related forms, grouped by how they connect.
Compound terms
Established multiword terms.
The soil that is remaining after the soluble elements have been dissolved.
The soil that is remaining after the soluble elements have been dissolved.
Oil products that remain after petroleum has been distilled.
More about this wordSynonyms, forms, origin
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