leave

1 of 3

verb (1)

ˈlēv 

left ˈleft  ; leaving

transitive verb

1

a(1)

: bequeath, devise

left a fortune to his son

(2)

: to have remaining after one's death

leaves a widow and two children

b

: to cause to remain as a trace or aftereffect

oil leaves a stain

the wound left an ugly scar

2

a

: to cause or allow to be or remain in a specified condition

leave the door open

his manner left me cold

b

: to fail to include or take along

left the notes at home

the movie leaves a lot out

c

: to have as a remainder

4 from 7 leaves 3

d

: to permit to be or remain subject to another's action or control

just leave everything to me

e

: let

f

: to cause or allow to be or remain available

leave room for expansion

left myself an out

3

a

: to go away from : depart

leave the room

b

: desert, abandon

left his wife

c

: to terminate association with : withdraw from

left school before graduation

4

: to put, deposit, or deliver before or in the process of departing

I left a package for you

leave a message

intransitive verb

: set out, depart

left for the office at eight sharp

leaver noun

Leave vs. Let: Usage Guide

Leave (sense 2e) with the infinitive but without to

leave it be

is a mostly spoken idiom used in writing especially for humorous effect. It is not often criticized in British English, but American commentators, adhering to an opinion first expressed in 1881, still dislike it.

leave

2 of 3

noun

1

a

: permission to do something

b

: authorized especially extended absence from duty or employment

2

: an act of leaving : departure

leave

3 of 3

verb (2)

leaved; leaving

intransitive verb

: leaf

Phrases

leave alone

: to refrain from bothering, disturbing, or using

Leave him alone while he's doing his homework.

Synonyms

Verb (1)

• abandon
• desert
• forsake
• maroon
• quit
• strand

Noun

• break
• holiday [chiefly British]
• hols [British]
• recess
• vacation

Examples of leave in a Sentence

Verb (1)

you can leave your lunch in the refrigerator while we're outside

starry-eyed lovers who promise never to leave one another

I'm going to leave all of my possessions to my children

he left his job in the city and moved out into the country

why don't you leave your watch with me while you swim?

is there ever a good way to leave a lover?

aw, leave him come

Noun

He took an unpaid leave from work.

The soldiers were given a two-month leave for the holidays.

He took a few months' leave to care for his sick mother.

Our professor is on leave this semester.

She is on leave from her law firm.

a soldier on military leave

I beg leave to differ with you, sir.

He was found guilty but was granted leave to appeal against the verdict.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

But if the markets don’t form – in this example resulting in adequate offtake agreements – investors can be left holding the bag. —David Blackmon, Forbes, 20 Oct. 2024

Additionally, Josh and Dalton’s memories of the Further have been repressed, leaving them vulnerable to the darkness that begins to resurface. —Kelsey Lentz, People.com, 20 Oct. 2024

Noun

The dress featured a long train and intricate sheer fabric leaves in shades of silver attached at the waistline. —Brenton Blanchet, People.com, 20 Oct. 2024

Packed with parsley-like flavor, bright green carrot leaves can be used fresh or dried as an herb. —Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Verb (1)

Middle English leven, from Old English lǣfan; akin to Old High German verleiben to leave, Old English belīfan to be left over, and perhaps to Lithuanian lipti to adhere, Greek lipos grease, fat

Noun

Middle English leve, from Old English lēaf; akin to Middle High German loube permission, Old English alȳfan to allow — more at believe

Verb (2)

Middle English leven, from leef leaf

First Known Use

Verb (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a(1)

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb (2)

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing leave

• absent without leave
• beg leave
• by-your-leave
• cause/create/leave a vacuum
• compassionate leave
• family leave
• French leave
• I must love you and leave you
• leave a bad taste in someone's mouth
• leave a great deal to be desired
• leave a lot to be desired
• leave at the altar
• leave/flee the nest
• leave for dead
• leave home
• leave it at that
• leave/keep one's options open
• leave/let well (enough) alone
• leave little to the imagination
• leave much to be desired
• leave no stone unturned
• leave nothing to be desired
• leave nothing to chance
• leave nothing to the imagination
• leave of absence
• leave off
• leave out
• leave (someone) cold
• leave (someone) dangling
• leave (someone) guessing
• leave (someone) in peace
• leave (someone) in the dust
• leave (someone) in the lurch
• leave (someone or something) be
• leave (someone) out in the cold
• leave someone's side
• leave someone to his or her own devices
• leave someone (with) no/little choice
• leave (someone) (with) no option
• leave something to the imagination
• leave-taking
• leave the door open for
• leave the past behind
• leave the priesthood
• leave to chance
• leave to the discretion of
• leave undisturbed
• leave well alone
• leave well enough alone
• maternity leave
• paternity leave
• pick up and leave/go
• put/leave one's stamp
• shore leave
• sick leave
• take it or leave it
• take leave of one's senses
• take leave of (someone)
• take one's leave
• terminal leave
• ticket-of-leave
• without (so much as) a by your leave

Kids Definition

leave

1 of 3 verb

ˈlēv 

left ˈleft  ; leaving

1

a

: to give by will : bequeath

left a fortune to his daughter

b

: to have remaining after one's death

leaves a widow and two children

c

: to cause to remain as a trace or aftereffect

oil leaves a stain

also : to cause to remain behind

leave your money at home

2

a

: to cause or allow to be or remain in a specified condition

leave the door open

b

: to fail to include or take along

left my notes at home

the movie leaves a lot out

c

: to have as a remainder

taking 4 from 7 leaves 3

d

: to permit to be or remain subject to another's action or control

just leave everything to me

e

: let entry 2 sense 3

f

: to cause or allow to be or remain available

leave room for more

3

a

: to go away from : depart

leave the room

b

: desert sense 2

left his wife

c

: to terminate association with : withdraw from

left school before graduation

4

: to put, deposit, or deliver especially before or in the process of departing

left a package on your doorstep

leave

2 of 3 noun

1

a

: permission sense 2

b

: authorized absence from duty or employment

2

: an act of leaving

leave

3 of 3 verb

leaved; leaving

: leaf entry 2 sense 1

Etymology

Verb

Old English lǣfan "to give to one's heirs"

Noun

Old English lēaf "permission"

Verb

Middle English leven "to produce leaves," from leef "a leaf"

Legal Definition

leave

transitive verb

left; leaving

: bequeath, devise