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remain
/rɪˈmeɪn/
to stay in place or continue to exist
The old castle remains standing despite centuries of neglect.
The castle has not been destroyed and is still there.
general
to stay in a place or condition without moving or changing
She decided to remain in her hometown after graduation.
She chose not to move away and stayed in her hometown.
The mystery of the lost city remains unsolved.
The mystery has not been solved and still exists.
Often used to describe something that continues to exist or stay in place over time.
general
to continue to exist or be valid
The law remains in effect despite public opposition.
The law is still active and being enforced.
His love for her remains strong after all these years.
His feelings of love have not diminished over time.
Can refer to emotions, laws, or other abstract concepts that persist.
Collocations
remain calmto stay composed and not panicremain silentto not speak or make a soundremain trueto stay loyal or faithful
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Common Prepositions
'Remain' is often followed by 'in', 'on', or 'with' to specify location or condition.
Abstract vs. Physical
Can refer to both physical objects and abstract concepts like feelings or laws.
Gold Rule
Context Matters
The meaning can vary based on whether it's used for physical objects or abstract concepts.
Word Origin
From Middle English 'remainen', from Old French 'remaindre', from Latin 'remanere' (to stay behind), from 're-' (back) + 'manere' (to stay).
Usage Notes
Can be used in both transitive and intransitive forms. Often followed by prepositions like 'in', 'on', or 'with'.
Word Breakdown
re-
back
prefix-main
to stay
rootEnglish Dictionary