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Scrap vs Leftover - What's the difference?

scrap | leftover |

As nouns the difference between scrap and leftover

is that scrap is a (small) piece; a fragment; a detached, incomplete portion while leftover is something left behind; an excess or remainder.

As a verb scrap

is to discard.

As an adjective leftover is

remaining; left behind; extra; in reserve.

scrap

English

Etymology 1

(etyl) scrappe, from (etyl) skrap, from

Noun

(en noun)
  • A (small) piece; a fragment; a detached, incomplete portion.
  • * De Quincey
    • I have no materials — not a scrap .
    I found a scrap of cloth to patch the hole.
  • (usually, in the plural) Leftover food.
    • Give the scraps to the dogs and watch them fight.
  • Discarded material (especially metal), junk.
    • That car isn't good for anything but scrap .
  • (ethnic slur, offensive) A Hispanic criminal, especially a Mexican or one affiliated to the Norte gang.
  • The crisp substance that remains after drying out animal fat.
    • pork scraps
    Derived terms
    * scrap paper * scrapbook * scrapheap * scrappy * scrapyard

    Verb

    (scrapp)
  • To discard.
  • (of a project or plan) To stop working on indefinitely.
  • To scrapbook; to create scrapbooks.
  • To dispose of at a scrapyard.
  • To make into scrap.
    • Derived terms
    * scrapper

    Etymology 2

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A fight, tussle, skirmish.
    • We got in a little scrap over who should pay the bill.

    Verb

    (scrapp)
  • to fight

    • Anagrams

    * English terms with multiple etymologies

    leftover

    English

    Alternative forms

    * left over, left-over

    Adjective

    (-)
  • Remaining; left behind; extra; in reserve.
    • Do you want some of the leftover supplies from the event?
  • (chiefly, in the plural, usually, of food) Remaining after a meal is complete or eaten for a later meal or snack.
    • I have some leftover spaghetti in the fridge, so I don't plan to cook tonight.
    Not leftovers again.

    Usage notes

    * When used after a verb (as part of a predicate phrase), use two separate words: *: I can walk for miles and still have energy left over.

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • Something left behind; an excess or remainder.
    • It's a leftover from yesterday, but it's still perfectly good.
    The entire wheel of cheese is a leftover from the party.