Python List remove()

The remove() method removes the first matching element (which is passed as an argument) from the list.

Example

# create a list
prime_numbers = [2, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11]

# remove 9 from the list prime_numbers.remove(9)
# Updated prime_numbers List print('Updated List: ', prime_numbers) # Output: Updated List: [2, 3, 5, 7, 11]

Syntax of List remove()

The syntax of the remove() method is:

list.remove(element)

remove() Parameters

  • The remove() method takes a single element as an argument and removes it from the list.
  • If the element doesn't exist, it throws ValueError: list.remove(x): x not in list exception.

Return Value from remove()

The remove() doesn't return any value (returns None).


Example 1: Remove element from the list

# animals list
animals = ['cat', 'dog', 'rabbit', 'guinea pig']

# 'rabbit' is removed animals.remove('rabbit')
# Updated animals List print('Updated animals list: ', animals)

Output

Updated animals list:  ['cat', 'dog', 'guinea pig']

Example 2: remove() method on a list having duplicate elements

If a list contains duplicate elements, the remove() method only removes the first matching element.

# animals list
animals = ['cat', 'dog', 'dog', 'guinea pig', 'dog']

# 'dog' is removed animals.remove('dog')
# Updated animals list print('Updated animals list: ', animals)

Output

Updated animals list:  ['cat', 'dog', 'guinea pig', 'dog']

Here, only the first occurrence of element 'dog' is removed from the list.


Example 3: Deleting element that doesn't exist

# animals list
animals = ['cat', 'dog', 'rabbit', 'guinea pig']

# Deleting 'fish' element animals.remove('fish')
# Updated animals List print('Updated animals list: ', animals)

Output

Traceback (most recent call last):
  File ".. .. ..", line 5, in <module>
    animal.remove('fish')
ValueError: list.remove(x): x not in list

Here, we are getting an error because the animals list doesn't contain 'fish'.


Also Read:

Did you find this article helpful?

Our premium learning platform, created with over a decade of experience and thousands of feedbacks.

Learn and improve your coding skills like never before.

Try Programiz PRO
  • Interactive Courses
  • Certificates
  • AI Help
  • 2000+ Challenges