leave

1 of 3

verb (1)

ˈlēv

left ˈleft

; leaving

Synonyms of leave next

transitive verb

a(1)

: bequeath, devise

left a fortune to his son

(2)

: to have remaining after one's death

leaves a widow and two children

: to cause to remain as a trace or aftereffect

oil leaves a stain

the wound left an ugly scar

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

leave the door open

his manner left me cold

: to fail to include or take along

left the notes at home

the movie leaves a lot out

: to have as a remainder

4 from 7 leaves 3

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

just leave everything to me

: let

: to cause or allow to be or remain available

leave room for expansion

left myself an out

: to go away from : depart

leave the room

: desert, abandon

left his wife

: to terminate association with : withdraw from

left school before graduation

: 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

: permission to do something

: authorized especially extended absence from duty or employment

: 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.

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

Talent and literary agent Andrea Nelson Meigs will be leaving UTA at the end of the year. —

Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 1 Nov. 2024 Here’s everything coming to Netflix in November 2024—and what’s leaving. —

Olivia B. Waxman, TIME, 1 Nov. 2024

Noun

The damage from these insects usually occurs in late spring to early summer and causes discoloration of the leaves in addition to early leaf drop. —

Chris McKeown, The Enquirer, 2 Nov. 2024 Each tube of tea leaves brews a six- to eight-cup pot. —

Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 1 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for leave

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'leave.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

See more words from the same century

Phrases Containing leave

Cite this Entry

Style

“Leave.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/leave. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

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Kids Definition

leave

1 of 3 verb

ˈlēv

left ˈleft

; leaving

: to give by will : bequeath

left a fortune to his daughter

: to have remaining after one's death

leaves a widow and two children

: to cause to remain as a trace or aftereffect

oil leaves a stain

also : to cause to remain behind

leave your money at home

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

leave the door open

: to fail to include or take along

left my notes at home

the movie leaves a lot out

: to have as a remainder

taking 4 from 7 leaves 3

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

just leave everything to me

: let entry 2 sense 3

: to cause or allow to be or remain available

leave room for more

: to go away from : depart

leave the room

: desert sense 2

left his wife

: to terminate association with : withdraw from

left school before graduation

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

left a package on your doorstep

leave

2 of 3 noun

: permission sense 2

: authorized absence from duty or employment

: 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

Last Updated: 4 Nov 2024 - Updated example sentences

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leave

verb (1)

noun

verb (2)

Synonyms

Examples of leave in a Sentence

Word History

Dictionary Entries Near leave

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition

Legal Definition