leave
LEEV
Leave (verb) means to go away from a place or person. Example: “She left the office at six o'clock.”
verb
1
To go away from a place or person.
"She left the office at six o'clock."
"He left home at eighteen to study abroad."
"The train leaves the station in ten minutes, so hurry."
2
To let something remain in place, or to allow it to stay without taking it away.
"Please leave the door open."
"They left the decision up to her."
"Don't leave your wet coat on the floor, please."
3
To give something to someone, especially after death.
"Her grandmother left her the family ring."
noun
1
Official permission to be absent from work, or the time away itself.
"He took two weeks' leave after the baby was born."
"She is on maternity leave until the spring."
"Staff can apply for unpaid leave if they need extra time off."
How to use leave
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo go away, to let something stay as it is, to hand something over, or (as a noun) time off work.
Common mistake
Don't confuse "leave" (to depart or allow to remain) with "let" (to permit) — "leave me alone" and "let me be" overlap but aren't always interchangeable.
Common pairings
leave home
leave a message
maternity leave
take leave
leave someone alone
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Word forms
- Plural
- leaves
- Third person singular
- leaves
- Past tense
- left, leaved
- Archaic forms
- leavest, leaveth, leftest
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The train _____ the station in ten minutes, so hurry.
Etymology
From Old English lǣfan, "to leave behind," related to an old Germanic root meaning "to remain" or "to stay."
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for leave
See all rhymes for leave →Frequently asked questions
What does “leave” mean?
The word “leave” means to go away from a place or person. In plain terms, to go away, to let something stay as it is, to hand something over, or (as a noun) time off work.
How do you pronounce “leave”?
“Leave” is pronounced LEEV (/ˈliːv/ in IPA).
How do you use “leave” in a sentence?
Here is “leave” used in a sentence: “Please leave the door open.”
What is another word for “leave”?
Words with a similar meaning to “leave” include beat it, bug off, remove, bugger off, book and bounce.
What is the opposite of “leave”?
The opposite of “leave” — its antonyms — are kick out, remain, reside, sojourn and tarry.
What part of speech is “leave”?
Depending on how it is used, “leave” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “leave” come from?
The word “leave” comes from Old English. From Old English lǣfan, "to leave behind," related to an old Germanic root meaning "to remain" or "to stay.".
Is “leave” a common word?
“Leave” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
What is the past tense of leave?
The past tense and past participle of 'leave' are both 'left': 'I leave today, I left yesterday, I have left already.' It is an irregular verb, so it does not take '-ed.' Note that 'left' is also a direction, though that word is unrelated in meaning.
What is the difference between leave and depart?
Both mean to go away from a place, but 'leave' is the everyday word used in almost any situation. 'Depart' is more formal and is common with transport and timetables — trains and flights depart. You leave the house each morning; a plane departs the airport at nine.
Can 'leave' also mean to let something stay?
Yes. Besides meaning to go away from a place, 'leave' can mean to let something remain as it is — 'leave the door open' or 'leave me alone.' It can also mean to give something to someone, as in a will: 'she left him her house.' Context shows which sense applies.
What is the difference between leave and quit?
To leave a place or job is neutral — you simply go. To quit is more forceful and usually means to stop or resign for good, often suddenly. You might leave work at five each day, but quit the job entirely if you resign. 'Quit' also carries a sense of giving up.
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