Leftover vs. Balance — What's the Difference?
By Urooj Arif & Maham Liaqat — Updated on April 19, 2024
Leftover refers to remaining portions after use or consumption, whereas balance signifies the amount left in an account or owed.
Difference Between Leftover and Balance
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Leftover typically denotes food, resources, or materials that remain after the rest has been used or consumed. On the other hand, balance refers to the amount of money remaining in a financial account or the outstanding amount in financial contexts.
In everyday usage, leftovers are often seen in kitchens or after meals, implying a physical substance that is tangible. Whereas balance, though applicable in various scenarios including physics and accounting, is frequently used to describe a figure on financial statements or online banking platforms.
Leftovers can decrease in value or desirability over time, especially in the case of perishable items like food. Conversely, a balance might either increase or decrease depending on financial activities, such as deposits or withdrawals.
Managing leftovers often involves creative reuse in meals or storage for later use, highlighting a practical aspect of resource utilization. In contrast, managing a balance involves financial decisions and planning, reflecting its critical role in financial health and budgeting.
The term leftover creates an implication of excess or surplus, suggesting something that wasn’t originally intended to remain. Balance, however, suggests an ongoing accounting of inputs and outputs, essential for financial equilibrium and tracking.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Remaining pieces from something larger or a whole.
Remaining amount of money in an account or due.
Context
Primarily used for food, materials.
Mostly used in financial or numerical contexts.
Temporal Value
Often degrades over time, especially if perishable.
Can increase or decrease, influenced by transactions.
Management
Requires physical storage or creative reuse.
Requires financial management or planning.
Connotation
Suggests surplus or excess.
Implies careful tracking and accounting.
Compare with Definitions
Leftover
Food or materials remaining after the rest has been used.
The leftover cake from the party was stored in the refrigerator.
Balance
The amount of money remaining in a financial account.
He checked his bank account to see the balance.
Leftover
Remaining parts of a larger group or set.
She used the leftover tiles to create a mosaic.
Balance
Remaining part of a payment that is due.
She paid off the balance on her credit card.
Leftover
Unused or surplus.
Leftover funds were redirected to the next project.
Balance
Equilibrium or steadiness in physical contexts.
The gymnast maintained perfect balance on the beam.
Leftover
Residue or remains.
The leftover chemical residue was carefully disposed of.
Balance
General term for stability in various contexts.
He struggled to keep his balance on the icy path.
Leftover
Something remaining after removal or subtraction.
Leftover debris was cleared after the construction.
Balance
The remaining amount of a non-monetary account or calculation.
The balance of the equation didn’t add up correctly.
Leftover
Remaining as an unused portion or amount.
Balance
See Libra.
Leftover
A remnant or an unused portion.
Balance
A weighing device, especially one consisting of a rigid beam horizontally suspended by a low-friction support at its center, with identical weighing pans hung at either end, one of which holds an unknown weight while the effective weight in the other is increased by known amounts until the beam is level and motionless. Also called scale.
Leftover
Leftovers Food remaining from a previous meal.
Balance
A state of equilibrium or parity characterized by cancellation of all forces by equal opposing forces.
Leftover
Remaining; left behind; extra; in reserve.
Do you want some of the leftover supplies from the event?
I have some leftover spaghetti in the fridge, so I don't plan to cook tonight.
Balance
The power or means to decide
Matters that fell outside the judge's balance.
Leftover
Something left behind; an excess or remainder.
It's a leftover from yesterday, but it's still perfectly good.
Balance
A state of bodily equilibrium
Thrown off balance by a gust of wind.
Leftover
Remaining after a meal is complete or eaten for a later meal or snack.
Not leftovers again!
The entire wheel of cheese is a leftover from the party.
Balance
The ability to maintain bodily equilibrium
Gymnasts must have good balance.
Leftover
Not used up; remaining after use of part; as, unusable leftover auto parts.
Balance
A harmonious or satisfying arrangement or proportion of parts or elements, as in a design.
Leftover
Remaining from a previous meal; - of food; as, leftover food served at a later meal.
Balance
An influence or force tending to produce equilibrium; counterpoise.
Leftover
An unused part or portion; - used especially of food remaining uneaten from a previous meal; as, to have leftovers for dinner.
Balance
The difference in magnitude between opposing forces or influences.
Leftover
A small part or portion that remains after the main part no longer exists
Balance
Equality of totals in the debit and credit sides of an account.
Leftover
Not used up;
Leftover meatloaf
She had a little money left over so she went to a movie
Some odd dollars left
Saved the remaining sandwiches for supper
Unexpended provisions
Balance
The difference between such totals, either on the credit or the debit side.
Leftover
Uneaten and saved for eating later;
Leftover food served at a later meal
Yesterday's reheated soup
Balance
Something that is left over; a remainder.
Balance
(Chemistry) Equality of mass and net electric charge of reacting species on each side of an equation.
Balance
(Mathematics) Equality with respect to the net number of reduced symbolic quantities on each side of an equation.
Balance
A balance wheel.
Balance
To determine the weight of (something) in a weighing device.
Balance
To consider and compare or assess
Balanced the pros and cons before making a choice.
Balance
To bring into or maintain in a state of equilibrium.
Balance
To act as an equalizing weight or force to; counterbalance.
Balance
To compute the difference between the debits and credits of (an account).
Balance
To reconcile or equalize the sums of the debits and credits of (an account).
Balance
To settle (an account, for example) by paying what is owed.
Balance
To bring into or keep in equal or satisfying proportion or harmony.
Balance
Mathematics & Chemistry To bring (an equation) into balance.
Balance
To move toward and then away from (a dance partner).
Balance
To be in or come into equilibrium.
Balance
To be equal or equivalent.
Balance
To sway or waver as if losing or regaining equilibrium.
Balance
To move toward and then away from a dance partner.
Balance
(uncountable) A state in which opposing forces harmonise; equilibrium.
Balance
(uncountable) Mental equilibrium; mental health; calmness, a state of remaining clear-headed and unperturbed.
Balance
Something of equal weight used to provide equilibrium; counterweight.
These weights are used as a balance for the overhanging verandah
Blair thought he could provide a useful balance to Bush's policies.
Balance
A pair of scales.
Balance
(uncountable) Awareness of both viewpoints or matters; neutrality; rationality; objectivity.
Balance
(uncountable) The overall result of conflicting forces, opinions etc.; the influence which ultimately "weighs" more than others.
The balance of power finally lay with the Royalist forces.
I think the balance of opinion is that we should get out while we're ahead.
Balance
(uncountable) Apparent harmony in art (between differing colours, sounds, etc.).
Balance
(accounting) A list accounting for the debits on one side, and for the credits on the other.
Balance
(accounting) The result of such a procedure; the difference between credit and debit of an account.
I just need to nip to a bank and check my balance.
Balance
(watchmaking) A device used to regulate the speed of a watch, clock etc.
Balance
The remainder.
The balance of the agreement remains in effect.
The invoice said he had only paid $50. The balance was $220.
Balance
Libra.
Balance
(transitive) To bring (items) to an equipoise, as the scales of a balance by adjusting the weights.
Balance
To make (concepts) agree.
Balance
(transitive) To hold (an object or objects) precariously; to support on a narrow base, so as to keep from falling.
I balanced my mug of coffee on my knee.
The circus performer balances a plate on the end of a baton.
Balance
(transitive) To compare in relative force, importance, value, etc.; to estimate.
Balance
To move toward, and then back from, reciprocally.
To balance partners
Balance
(nautical) To contract, as a sail, into a narrower compass.
To balance the boom mainsail
Balance
(transitive) To make the credits and debits of (an account) correspond.
This final payment, or credit, balances the account.
To balance a set of books
Balance
(intransitive) To be in equilibrium.
Balance
(intransitive) To have matching credits and debits.
Balance
To weigh in a balance.
Balance
To hesitate or fluctuate.
Balance
An apparatus for weighing.
Balance
Act of weighing mentally; comparison; estimate.
A fair balance of the advantages on either side.
Balance
Equipoise between the weights in opposite scales.
Balance
The state of being in equipoise; equilibrium; even adjustment; steadiness.
And hung a bottle on each sideTo make his balance true.
The order and balance of the country were destroyed.
English workmen completely lose their balance.
Balance
An equality between the sums total of the two sides of an account; as, to bring one's accounts to a balance; - also, the excess on either side; as, the balance of an account.
I still think the balance of probabilities leans towards the account given in the text.
Balance
A balance wheel, as of a watch, or clock. See Balance wheel (in the Vocabulary).
Balance
The constellation Libra.
Balance
To bring to an equipoise, as the scales of a balance by adjusting the weights; to weigh in a balance.
Balance
To support on a narrow base, so as to keep from falling; as, to balance a plate on the end of a cane; to balance one's self on a tight rope.
Balance
To equal in number, weight, force, or proportion; to counterpoise, counterbalance, counteract, or neutralize.
One expression . . . must check and balance another.
Balance
To compare in relative force, importance, value, etc.; to estimate.
Balance the good and evil of things.
Balance
To settle and adjust, as an account; to make two accounts equal by paying the difference between them.
I am very well satisfied that it is not in my power to balance accounts with my Maker.
Balance
To make the sums of the debits and credits of an account equal; - said of an item; as, this payment, or credit, balances the account.
Balance
To arrange accounts in such a way that the sum total of the debits is equal to the sum total of the credits; as, to balance a set of books.
Balance
To move toward, and then back from, reciprocally; as, to balance partners.
Balance
To contract, as a sail, into a narrower compass; as, to balance the boom mainsail.
Balance
To have equal weight on each side; to be in equipoise; as, the scales balance.
Balance
To fluctuate between motives which appear of equal force; to waver; to hesitate.
He would not balance or err in the determination of his choice.
Balance
To move toward a person or couple, and then back.
Balance
A state of equilibrium
Balance
A scale for weighing; depends on pull of gravity
Balance
Equality between the totals of the credit and debit sides of an account
Balance
Harmonious arrangement or relation of parts or elements within a whole (as in a design);
In all perfectly beautiful objects there is found the opposition of one part to another and a reciprocal balance
Balance
Equality of distribution
Balance
Something left after other parts have been taken away;
There was no remainder
He threw away the rest
He took what he wanted and I got the balance
Balance
The difference between the totals of the credit and debit sides of an account
Balance
(astrology) a person who is born while the sun in in Libra
Balance
The seventh sign of the zodiac; the sun is in this sign from about September 23 to October 22
Balance
(mathematics) an attribute of a shape or relation; exact correspondence of form on opposite sides of a dividing line or plane
Balance
An equivalent counterbalancing weight
Balance
A wheel that regulates the rate of movement in a machine; especially a wheel oscillating against the hairspring of a timepiece to regulate its beat
Balance
Bring into balance or equilibrium;
She has to balance work and her domestic duties
Balance the two weights
Balance
Compute credits and debits of an account
Balance
Hold or carry in equilibrium
Balance
Be in equilibrium;
He was balancing on one foot
Common Curiosities
How does balance affect personal finance?
Balance in personal finance indicates financial health, showing how much money is left in accounts or owed.
What typically constitutes leftovers?
Leftovers usually refer to food or materials that remain after use or consumption.
What can cause leftovers to decrease in value?
Perishability and loss of freshness can cause food leftovers to decrease in value over time.
How can one manage leftovers effectively?
Effective management of leftovers involves proper storage or incorporating them into new meals.
What is the importance of balance in physical activities?
Balance is crucial for stability and preventing falls in physical activities such as gymnastics or walking.
What tools can help manage financial balances?
Banking apps, financial planning software, and budgeting tools can help manage and track financial balances.
Does the context of balance change in business settings?
In business, balance often refers to financial statements, showcasing assets, liabilities, and equity.
Is balance only a financial term?
While commonly used in finance, balance can also refer to physical stability or equilibrium in various contexts.
What actions can change a financial balance?
Deposits, withdrawals, charges, and payments can all affect a financial balance.
Can balance be a sign of good financial management?
Yes, maintaining a positive balance can be indicative of prudent financial management and budgeting.
What cultural practices involve leftovers?
Many cultures have specific dishes or culinary practices that use leftovers to minimize waste and maximize resources.
How are leftovers used in households?
Leftovers are commonly reused in meals or stored for future consumption in households.
Can leftovers be undesirable?
Yes, if not stored properly or if they are past their prime, leftovers can become undesirable.
What is the typical lifespan of food leftovers?
The lifespan of food leftovers varies, but typically they should be consumed within a few days to ensure safety.
How does one ensure a balance is accurate in accounting?
Regular audits, reconciliations, and accurate transaction recording ensure balance accuracy in accounting.
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Written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
