leo v
A1Neutral (used across all registers)
Definition
Meaning
to go away from a place or person; to allow something to remain in a place or condition.
To end a relationship or job; to give responsibility or authority to someone else (leave it to me); to cause something to happen or remain as a result (the fire left scorch marks); to have remaining after subtraction (three from five leaves two).
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
It is a highly polysemous verb. The basic spatial meaning ('depart') and the causative meaning ('cause to remain') are both core. It also functions in many phrasal verbs and idioms.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
British English uses 'leave' more commonly with certain temporal nouns (e.g., 'on leave from work'). The phrase 'leave it out!' (meaning 'stop it!') is chiefly British slang. American English uses 'leave' in 'leave of absence' as a formal term.
Connotations
Generally consistent. 'To leave school' can imply dropping out permanently in both varieties.
Frequency
Extremely high and comparable frequency in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
NP leave (intransitive)NP leave NP (transitive, location)NP leave NP NP (ditransitive, e.g., leave her a note)NP leave NP Adjective/PP (complex transitive, e.g., leave the door open)leave NP to NP (e.g., leave the decision to him)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “take French leave”
- “leave no stone unturned”
- “leave someone high and dry”
- “leave well enough alone”
- “leave a lot to be desired”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
'She will be on maternity leave for six months.' / 'We need to leave room in the budget for contingencies.'
Academic
The study's limitations leave several questions unanswered for future research.
Everyday
I left my keys on the kitchen table. What time does your train leave?
Technical
The process leaves a residual by-product that must be disposed of safely.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The train leaves at half eight.
- Don't leave your rubbish behind.
- I'll leave it with the concierge.
American English
- The plane leaves at 8:30.
- Don't leave your trash behind.
- I'll leave it with the front desk.
adverb
British English
- Not commonly used as an adverb.
American English
- Not commonly used as an adverb.
adjective
British English
- The leave policy is outlined in the handbook.
- He is currently leave from his duties.
American English
- The leave policy is outlined in the handbook.
- He is currently on leave from his duties.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Please leave the window open.
- My brother leaves for school at 8 am.
- She left her bag on the bus.
- I'm thinking of leaving my current job for a new challenge.
- The hurricane left thousands of people without electricity.
- Leave the details to me; I'll organise everything.
- The documentary left a lasting impression on all who saw it.
- His abrupt resignation left the department in a state of disarray.
- The agreement leaves room for interpretation, which could be problematic.
- The judge's ruling leaves the precedent intact but opens the door to future challenges.
- Her groundbreaking research has left an indelible mark on the field of neuroscience.
- We must leave no avenue unexplored in our pursuit of a solution.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine you must **LEAVE** a **LEAF** on the table as a note before you go.
Conceptual Metaphor
CHANGING LOCATIONS IS LEAVING (He left the company for a competitor). STATES ARE LOCATIONS (The news left me in shock). POSSESSION IS CONTROL (She left her fortune to the dog).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Confusing 'leave' with 'let' (e.g., 'let me go' vs. 'leave me' meaning 'go away from me').
- Overusing the spatial 'leave' for the abstract Russian 'оставить' (e.g., 'He left an impression' is correct; 'He left me to go home' uses a different Russian verb).
- Misusing 'leave from' (often redundant; 'The plane leaves Moscow at noon,' not 'leaves from').
Common Mistakes
- He left me go. (Incorrect) -> He let me go. / He left. (Correct, if meaning he departed)
- I am leaving in London tomorrow. (Incorrect) -> I am leaving for London tomorrow. (Correct)
- Don't leave the light open. (Incorrect) -> Don't leave the light on. (Correct)
Practice
Quiz
In which sentence is 'leave' used in a causative sense (to cause something to remain)?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Leave' primarily means to go away from or to allow something to remain. 'Let' means to allow or permit someone to do something. You 'let someone go' (give them permission), but you 'leave a place' (depart from it).
Not exactly. 'I am leaving' (present continuous) often refers to a fixed, immediate future plan or an action happening right now. 'I will leave' (future simple) is a simple future intention or decision made at the moment of speaking.
Yes, as an intransitive verb: 'We should leave soon.' 'The plane leaves in an hour.'
It's often an imperative meaning 'stop doing or discussing that.' It can also mean 'don't worry about it, I'll handle it.'