Meaning & Definition of Leave in English

1. The period of time during which you are absent from work or duty

• "A ten day's leave to visit his mother"

2. Permission to do something

• "She was granted leave to speak"

3. The act of departing politely

• "He disliked long farewells"

• "He took his leave"

• "Parting is such sweet sorrow"

1. Go away from a place

• "At what time does your train leave?"

• "She didn't leave until midnight"

• "The ship leaves at midnight"

2. Go and leave behind, either intentionally or by neglect or forgetfulness

• "She left a mess when she moved out"

• "His good luck finally left him"

• "Her husband left her after 20 years of marriage"

• "She wept thinking she had been left behind"

3. Act or be so as to become in a specified state

• "The inflation left them penniless"

• "The president's remarks left us speechless"

4. Leave unchanged or undisturbed or refrain from taking

• "Leave it as is"

• "Leave the young fawn alone"

• "Leave the flowers that you see in the park behind"

5. Move out of or depart from

• "Leave the room"

• "The fugitive has left the country"

6. Make a possibility or provide opportunity for

• Permit to be attainable or cause to remain

• "This leaves no room for improvement"

• "The evidence allows only one conclusion"

• "Allow for mistakes"

• "Leave lots of time for the trip"

• "This procedure provides for lots of leeway"

7. Have as a result or residue

• "The water left a mark on the silk dress"

• "Her blood left a stain on the napkin"

8. Remove oneself from an association with or participation in

• "She wants to leave"

• "The teenager left home"

• "She left her position with the red cross"

• "He left the senate after two terms"

• "After 20 years with the same company, she pulled up stakes"

9. Put into the care or protection of someone

• "He left the decision to his deputy"

• "Leave your child the nurse's care"

10. Leave or give by will after one's death

• "My aunt bequeathed me all her jewelry"

• "My grandfather left me his entire estate"

11. Have left or have as a remainder

• "That left the four of us"

• "19 minus 8 leaves 11"

12. Be survived by after one's death

• "He left six children"

• "At her death, she left behind her husband and 11 cats"

13. Transmit (knowledge or skills)

• "Give a secret to the russians"

• "Leave your name and address here"

• "Impart a new skill to the students"

14. Leave behind unintentionally

• "I forgot my umbrella in the restaurant"

• "I left my keys inside the car and locked the doors"