leave meaning and definition

LEAVE noun

Definition of leave (noun)

1. the period of time during which you are absent from work or duty
   • "a ten day's leave to visit his mother"
   • synonyms: leave of absence
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"
   • synonyms: farewell, leave-taking, parting

LEAVE verb

Definition of leave (verb)

1. go away from a place
   • "At what time does your train leave?"; "She didn't leave until midnight"; "The ship leaves at midnight"
   • synonyms: go away, go forth
   • antonym: arrive
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"
   • synonyms: leave alone, leave behind
5. move out of or depart from
   • "leave the room"; "the fugitive has left the country"
   • synonyms: exit, get out, go out
   • antonym: come in
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"
   • synonyms: allow, allow for, provide
7. have as a result or residue
   • "The water left a mark on the silk dress"; "Her blood left a stain on the napkin"
   • synonyms: lead, result
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"
   • synonyms: depart, pull 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"
   • synonyms: entrust
10. leave or give by will after one's death
    • "My aunt bequeathed me all her jewelry"; "My grandfather left me his entire estate"
    • synonyms: bequeath, will
    • antonym: disinherit
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"
    • synonyms: leave behind
13. transmit (knowledge or skills)
    • "give a secret to the Russians"; "leave your name and address here"; "impart a new skill to the students"
    • synonyms: give, impart, pass on
14. leave behind unintentionally
    • "I forgot my umbrella in the restaurant"; "I left my keys inside the car and locked the doors"
    • synonyms: forget