- 1linking verb to continue to be something; to be still in the same state or condition + adj. to remain silent/standing/seated/motionless Train fares are likely to remain unchanged. It remains true that sports are about competing well, not winning. Despite threats of strike action, the management remains hopeful that an agreement can be reached. + noun In spite of their quarrel, they remain the best of friends. He will remain (as) manager of the club until the end of his contract.
- 2[intransitive] to still be present after the other parts have been removed, used, etc.; to continue to exist Very little of the house remained after the fire. Only about half of the original workforce remains. There were only ten minutes remaining.
- 3[intransitive] remain (to do something) to still need to be done, said, or dealt with Much remains to be done. It remains to be seen (= it will only be known later) whether you are right. There remained one significant problem. Questions remain about the President's honesty. I feel sorry for her, but the fact remains (that) she lied to us. Language Bankneverthelessconceding a point and making a counterargument
- While the movie is undoubtedly too long, it is nevertheless an intriguing work of art.
- It can be argued that the movie is too long. It is nonetheless an intriguing work of art.
- The movie is undoubtedly too long. Still, it is an intriguing work of art.
- Of course, huge chunks of the book have been sacrificed in order to make a two-hour movie, but it is nevertheless a successful piece of storytelling.
- Critics are wrong to argue that the movie's plot is too complicated. Certainly there are a couple of major twists, but audiences will have no difficulty following them.
- It is true that you cannot make a good movie without a good script, but it is equally true that a talented director can make a good script into an excellent movie.
- It remains to be seen whether these two movies herald a new era of westerns, but there is no doubt that they represent welcome additions to the genre.
- 4[intransitive] + adv./prep. to stay in the same place; to not leave They remained in Mexico until June. The plane remained on the ground. She left, but I remained behind. Idioms
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NAmE//rɪˈmeɪn//
(formal) (not usually in the progressive tenses)Verb Forms present simple I / you / we / they remain he / she / it remains
past simple remained
-ing form remaining
to not become involved in something; to show no interest in people The Emperor kept himself aloof from the people.
Check pronunciation: remain