What does leave mean?
Leave is a versatile English word used primarily for departing from a place, person, event, or activity. It can also mean allowing something to remain behind, as in “leave the light on,” or excluding something from consideration, as in “leave out the details.” In institutional contexts, “leave” can mean authorized absence: an employee may request leave or be granted sick leave. The noun also refers to a period of absence or, more poetically, to the time remaining in a person's life. Its past tense and past participle are the irregular form “left,” while “leaving” is the present participle. Although the basic sense is straightforward, the word appears in many established expressions, including “leave someone alone,” “leave behind,” “take leave,” and “leave well alone.”
To depart from a place, person, event, or activity; to allow something to remain behind; to omit something; to grant permission to be absent; or to entrust something to someone, especially in a will.
"The museum will leave the collection on display throughout the summer."
The sense “grant permission to be absent” is formal and is especially common in workplace, educational, and legal contexts.
Permission to be away from one's usual duties; a period of absence; or the time remaining in a person's life.
"He took a leave of absence to care for a family member."
The noun is often used in institutional contexts, such as “medical leave,” “study leave,” and “leave of absence.” The life-span sense is literary or poetic.
Usually uncountable when meaning permission or a period of absence; the plural is uncommon but can be used for separate instances or periods of leave.
"Employees may request several leaves during the calendar year."
From “go away” to “give permission to go away,” leave has come to mean both the act of departing and the absence it creates.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of leave
The word comes from Old English lǣfan, which was related to the Old English noun lǣf, meaning “remainder” or “heritage,” and to a Germanic root associated with remaining or being left. In Middle English, the verb developed its modern range of meanings, including departing, allowing something to remain, and granting permission to be away. The noun meaning “permission to be absent” developed from the verb, while the sense “period of absence” came to mean a leave of absence. The forms “left” and “leaving” reflect the historical development of the verb's irregular inflection.
Related word forms
How leave is actually used
The verb is formal or neutral in most of its meanings, especially “grant permission to be absent” and “bequeath.” The noun “leave” is more common in institutional and employment contexts, as in “medical leave” or “take leave.” “Leave” and “left” are irregularly formed: the present participle is “leaving,” and the past tense and past participle are “left.”
Easily confused with leave
Leave means to go away or to allow something to remain, whereas live means to be alive, reside, or undergo an experience.