leave

1 of 3

verb (1)

ˈlēv How to pronounce leave (audio)
left ˈleft How to pronounce leave (audio) ; leaving
Synonyms of leavenext

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)

Noun

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

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
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
Where are opportunities left untouched simply due to a lack of capacity? — Scott Brighton, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2025 Enzo Maresca’s ominous words in his press conference at Cobham on Thursday left little room to avoid the conclusion that Colwill had suffered a significant injury. — Liam Twomey, New York Times, 8 Aug. 2025
Noun
The country's total fertility rate, or the average number of children a woman is expected to have, fell to 1.15 in 2024 from 1.2 the previous year, despite extensive local and central government incentives, and some of the world's most generous parental leave policies. — Micah McCartney, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Aug. 2025 McGann was placed on administrative leave during the investigation into complaints of professional judgment issues and poor classroom management, a letter received by the parents showed. — Adam Sabes, FOXNews.com, 7 Aug. 2025 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

Phrases Containing leave

Rhymes for leave

See All Rhymes for leave

Browse Nearby Words

leathwake
leave
leave a bad taste in someone's mouth
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Leave.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/leave. Accessed 14 Aug. 2025.

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Kids Definition

leave

1 of 3 verb
ˈlēv How to pronounce leave (audio)
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
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

More from Merriam-Webster on leave

Nglish: Translation of leave for Spanish Speakers

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