residual
/rɪˈzɪdjuəl/ (bre, ipa) · /rɪˈzɪdʒuəl/ (ame, ipa) · /ri-ˈzi-jə-wəl -jəl; -ˈzij-wəl/ (ame, mw) · /rɪˈzɪd.ju.əl/ (bre, ipa) · /rɪˈzɪdʒ.ju.əl/ (ame, ipa)
residual — adjective
- residualpositive
- more residualcomparative
- most residualsuperlative
1. describing a small amount or effect that is left after the main part has been re
describing a small amount or effect that is left after the main part has been removed, used, or finished
After cleaning the oven, a residual layer of grease was still visible around the edges.
attributive use: residual + noun (layer / heat / glue)
The residual heat from the engine kept the cabin warm for another hour.
Shirin wiped away the residual glue that had dried on the wooden table.
There was a residual smell of paint in the room even after three days.
Indra checked the residual charge left in the battery before the long drive.
- remaining
more general and common; suitable for everyday speech
- leftover
informal; typically used for physical items such as food or materials
- outstanding
used for work, debts, or issues that have not yet been dealt with
文法句型
residual + noun
用法筆記
Common in technical and formal contexts — science reports, legal documents, and financial statements. The everyday alternatives 'leftover' or 'remaining' are more natural in casual speech.
常見錯誤
residual — noun
- residualsingular
- residualsplural
1. money paid to a performer, writer, or director each time their work is broadcast
money paid to a performer, writer, or director each time their work is broadcast, streamed, or shown again after the first use
The actor's residuals from the hit series pay for most of his living expenses.
plural form: residuals (continuing royalty payments)
Ayesha was surprised by the size of her first residual check from the commercial.
Writers on popular shows can earn substantial residuals when their programmes are sold abroad.
Zola's agent negotiated higher residual payments for the streaming release of the film.
Unions fight to protect residual income for performers whose work appears on digital platforms.
- royalty
broader term; includes payments for book sales, patents, and licensing
- repeat fee
UK English term for a payment made for each rerun of a programme
- commission
a percentage of sales, different from residuals which are per-use fees
文法句型
residuals + from + noun
earn / receive / collect + residuals
用法筆記
Most common in US entertainment industry contexts. In UK English, 'royalty' or 'repeat fee' is often used instead. Usually appears in plural form ('residuals').
常見錯誤
2. a small amount of a substance or material that remains after the rest has been r
a small amount of a substance or material that remains after the rest has been removed or used up
The technician disposed of the chemical residual according to the safety guidelines.
countable noun: the + chemical + residual
There was a sticky residual left in the bottle after Sumin poured out the syrup.
The residual of the cleaning product must be washed away with plenty of water.
Caleb tested the soil for any residual of the pesticide used on the farm.
A white residual formed on the tap where hard water had dried for months.
文法句型
residual + of + noun
a + residual
用法筆記
More formal than 'remainder' or 'leftovers'. Frequently used in scientific, industrial, and environmental writing. In everyday conversation, 'what's left' or 'the rest' is more natural.