leave

1 of 3

verb (1)

left ˈleft How to pronounce leave (audio) ; 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
Phrases
leave alone
: to refrain from bothering, disturbing, or using
Leave him alone while he's doing his homework.

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
The callers reported seeing a man armed with a gun fleeing a silver sedan that was left disabled in a parking lot, authorities said. Caelyn Pender, The Mercury News, 13 Nov. 2024 The Lakers were already down several bodies in their frontcourt, with Christian Wood (offseason left knee surgery) and Jarred Vanderbilt (offseason feet surgery) sidelined, leaving two-way center Christian Koloko as the only available big man behind Davis. Khobi Price, Orange County Register, 13 Nov. 2024
Noun
While on leave, Kennedy has continued to participate in Children’s Health Defense events. Brandy Zadrozny, NBC News, 13 Nov. 2024 In September, the San Jose Police Department placed Truong on leave after the district attorney’s office charged him with felony grand theft tied to mortgage fraud allegations, prompting Mahan to pull his endorsement. Devan Patel, The Mercury News, 7 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for leave 

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of leave was before the 12th century

Cite this Entry

“Leave.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/leave. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

leave

1 of 3 verb
left ˈleft How to pronounce leave (audio) ; 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
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
b
: authorized absence from duty or employment
2
: an act of leaving

leave

3 of 3 verb
leaved; leaving
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

More from Merriam-Webster on leave

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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