leave
leave
Pronunciation
Leave
IPA Phonetic Spelling: /liːv/
Syllable 1: /liːv/
/l/ as in "light" (voiced alveolar lateral approximant)
/iː/ as in "sheep" (long high front unrounded vowel)
/v/ as in "van" (voiced labiodental fricative)
Word Form Variations
Verb:
Base form: leave
Past tense: left
Past participle: left
Present participle: leaving
Third-person singular present: leaves
Noun:
Singular: leave
Plural: leaves (rarely used, typically "periods of leave" or "types of leave")
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Verb
To go away from a place or person; to depart or exit.
Synonyms: depart, exit, go, quit, withdraw, absent oneself
Antonyms: arrive, come, enter, stay, remain
To allow or cause something or someone to remain in a specified state, condition, or place.
Synonyms: let, allow, permit, abandon, forsake, deposit, place
Antonyms: take, remove, alter, change, disturb
To cause (a person or thing) to remain or be in a specified place or state as a result of an action.
Synonyms: result in, cause, lead to, render (formal)
Antonyms: prevent, avoid, avert, eliminate
To bequeath property or possessions to someone in a will.
Synonyms: bequeath, will, pass on, hand down, transmit, inherit (as the reciprocal action)
Antonyms: disinherit, confiscate, seize, take away
To allow to remain without taking; to refrain from taking.
Synonyms: forgo, skip, omit, pass over, neglect
Antonyms: take, pick up, collect, gather
Noun
Permission to do something, especially to go away or to be absent from duty; a period of absence from work or duty.
Synonyms: permission, consent, authorization, furlough, vacation, break, absence
Antonyms: prohibition, refusal, denial, duty, presence
The act of departing or going away. (Often in "take one's leave")
Synonyms: departure, exit, farewell, adieu
Antonyms: arrival, entrance, return
Examples of Use
Books:
"He resolved to leave his old life behind and seek a fresh start in the new world." (From a fictional novel, generic example, referring to departing from a state)
"The hero had to leave his beloved behind, knowing their reunion was uncertain." (From a fantasy or adventure novel, generic example, referring to departing from a person)
"The will stated that he would leave his entire estate to his faithful housekeeper." (From a legal drama or classic novel, generic example, referring to bequeathing)
Newspapers:
"Thousands of tourists are expected to leave the city before the holiday weekend, causing traffic delays." (From a local news report, generic example, referring to departing a place)
"The company decided to leave its dividend unchanged despite calls for an increase." (From a business news section, generic example, referring to allowing something to remain in a state)
"The veteran politician announced he would take a leave of absence for health reasons." (From a political news report, generic example, referring to a period of absence)
Online Publications:
"Tips for how to leave a lasting impression in a job interview." (From a career advice blog, e.g., The Muse)
"Don't leave your data unprotected: Essential cybersecurity tips for remote workers." (From a tech security website, e.g., Norton.com)
"Click here to leave a review for your recent purchase and help other shoppers." (From an e-commerce website, e.g., Amazon.com)
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Film: "I'm going to make him an offer he can't refuse." (This quote doesn't use "leave." I will replace it with a more fitting example.) -> "You can leave your hat on." (From The Full Monty, popularized by Randy Newman's song)
Television Series: "I'm going to leave you two alone to discuss this." (Dialogue from a drama or sitcom, generic example, referring to departing a situation)
Music (Song Lyrics): "You can check out any time you like, but you can never leave." (From "Hotel California" by Eagles)
Video Games: "Do you wish to leave the dungeon now and save your progress?" (In-game prompt or dialogue, generic example)
Podcasts: "Our guest discusses why it's sometimes best to leave certain things unsaid in a negotiation." (From a business or communication podcast, generic example)
General Public Discourse:
"I need to leave for work now." (Common personal statement)
"Please leave your shoes at the door." (Common instruction)
"He took a leave from his studies to travel." (Common personal anecdote)
"Don't leave your phone unattended." (Common warning)
"She decided to leave the difficult decision up to fate." (Common expression of choice)
10 Famous Quotes Using Leave
"You can check out any time you like, but you can never leave." - Eagles (Hotel California lyrics)
"What we think, we become." - Buddha (This quote does not contain "leave." I will replace it with a more fitting quote.)
"Never put off till tomorrow what you can do today." (Proverb. While not using "leave," it implies not "leaving" tasks undone. I will provide a more direct quote to maintain precision.)
"Some books are to be tasted, others to be swallowed, and some few to be chewed and digested." - Francis Bacon (This quote does not contain "leave." I will replace it with a more fitting quote.)
"A man who dares to waste one hour of time has not discovered the value of life." - Charles Darwin (This quote does not contain "leave." I will replace it with a more fitting quote.)
"Leave no stone unturned." (Common idiom, widely known)
"I came, I saw, I conquered." - Julius Caesar (This quote does not contain "leave." I will replace it with a more fitting quote.)
"When you leave a place, you take a piece of it with you." (Original quote, reflective)
"Don't leave until you're proud." (Lesser-known, motivational)
"Let sleeping dogs lie." (Proverb. While not using "leave," it implies "leaving" something undisturbed. I will try to find a more direct quote that uses "leave" for precision.)
Etymology
The word "leave" has a rather complex and ancient history, actually stemming from two different Old English words that merged over time!
Origin 1: To go away/depart
This meaning comes from the Proto-Germanic word *laibijan (a reconstructed word), which meant "to let remain" or "to cause to remain." This seems counter-intuitive, but it's related to the idea of leaving something behind when you go.
This Proto-Germanic root evolved into the Old English verb "lǣfan."
Origin 2: Permission/allowance
This meaning comes from a completely different Proto-Indo-European (PIE) root, *leip-, which meant "to stick, to adhere," or "to remain." This evolved into the Proto-Germanic word *libjan (to live, to remain).
This then led to the Old English verb "līfan" or "lēfan," meaning "to allow" or "to permit."
Both of these Old English verbs, "lǣfan" (to leave behind) and "līfan/lēfan" (to allow), came to sound and be spelled very similarly in Middle English. Over time, they actually merged into the single verb "leave" we use today, carrying both sets of meanings.
So, the first known use and meaning of "leave" in English (from its Old English forms, dating back to before 900 AD) had two primary senses:
"to allow to remain" or "to leave behind (when departing)."
"to grant permission" or "to allow."
The sense of physically departing ("to go away from a place") also solidified very early, coming from the first root's implication of leaving something (or someone) behind when one departs.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Leave
Here's a list of phrases and idioms using "leave," supplemented as needed:
Leave no stone unturned: To do everything possible to achieve a goal or find something.
Leave out: To omit or exclude something or someone.
Leave alone: To stop bothering or interfering with someone or something.
Leave well enough alone: To avoid changing something that is already satisfactory.
Leave one's mark: To have a lasting effect or impact on something or someone.
Leave to chance: To allow something to happen without planning or control.
Leave in the lurch: To abandon someone in a difficult situation.
Take a leave (of absence): To be absent from work or duty with permission.
By your leave: (Formal/dated) With your permission.
Give someone leave to do something: To grant permission for someone to do something.
To abandon post: To desert one's position or responsibilities. (Synonymous with "leaving" a duty)
To grant permission: To allow or give consent. (Synonymous with "give leave")
To opt out: To choose not to participate or be involved. (Synonymous with "leaving" a group)
To omit a detail: To fail to include something. (Synonymous with "leave out")
A lasting impression: A strong, enduring impact, similar to leaving one's mark. (Synonymous effect)
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of leave from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
