English · Word Candidate

residual

/ɹɪˈzɪd͡ʒ.ʊəl/

Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.

Also seen as: residuals

Sense 1

Meaning · English

Of, relating to, or remaining as a residue; left over.

Adjective

Examples

Yet certain films leave a residual memory—such as Psycho: many people still feel uneasy showering in a motel bathroom.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 2

Meaning · English

A remainder left over at the end of some process.

Noun

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 3

Meaning · English

Payments made to performers, writers and directors when a recorded broadcast is repeated.

Noun

Examples

The tentative deal announced this week by the Writers Guild of America includes many industry-specific aspects, such as the size of writers’ rooms and improved residuals for streaming.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Common questions

What does “residual” mean?

Of, relating to, or remaining as a residue; left over.

Is “residual” formal or informal?

No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.