left
ˈleft 
; leaving
; leaving
1
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
4
: to put, deposit, or deliver before or in the process of departing
I left a package for you
leave a message
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.
Synonyms
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
Bob McNally, Outdoor Life, 20 Dec. 2024
This technique gives patients results that look natural, offers a speedier recovery, and leaves fewer scars.
—Kyle J. Russell, USA TODAY, 20 Dec. 2024
Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 8 Dec. 2024
At the grocery store, look for cilantro with fresh, green leaves; avoid any bunches with yellowed or wilted leaves.
—Heather Riske, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for leave 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Verb
Bruce found his bloody arrow, then left the area and walked to a barn to wait for his dad before tracking the deer.
—Bob McNally, Outdoor Life, 20 Dec. 2024
This technique gives patients results that look natural, offers a speedier recovery, and leaves fewer scars.
—Kyle J. Russell, USA TODAY, 20 Dec. 2024
Noun
Mulch plants with a loose material like leaves or pine straw in late fall or early winter after applying compost.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 8 Dec. 2024
At the grocery store, look for cilantro with fresh, green leaves; avoid any bunches with yellowed or wilted leaves.
—Heather Riske, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for leave
Articles Related to leave
Dictionary Entries Near leave
Cite this Entry
“Leave.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/leave. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
leave
1 of 3 verb
left
ˈleft
; leaving
; 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 noun1
b
: authorized absence from duty or employment
2
: an act of 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"
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