What does leaving mean?
Leaving is the present participle of the verb leave and describes the act of departing, withdrawing, abandoning, or excluding. It appears in progressive forms such as “is leaving” and “was leaving,” where it shows an action in progress or an action that is about to happen. The word can describe someone physically going away, as in “she is leaving the house,” or it can mean abandoning a person, place, job, or commitment. “They left me behind” implies separation or abandonment, while “leave out an ingredient” means to omit it. Leaving is also used when something becomes unavailable or stops operating, such as “the store is leaving town.” As a noun, it refers more generally to departure or the condition of being left, although this usage is less common. Overall, the word is useful because it conveys not only movement away but also the social, practical, or emotional consequences of departure.
Used as the present participle of leave, describing the act of departing from a place or separating from someone.
"He is leaving the office after lunch."
Usually functions with an auxiliary verb, although it can also follow modal verbs such as “will” or “might.”
Used as the present participle of leave, meaning to abandon, withdraw from, omit, or cease to retain something.
"The company is leaving the market after a difficult year."
The sense can imply a decision, separation, or exclusion rather than merely physical movement.
The act of departing or the condition of being separated from a person, place, or situation.
"Their leaving made the house feel unusually quiet."
This gerund noun is less common than the verb form and is often used in more formal or reflective contexts.
Leaving is more than simply going: it can also imply abandonment, omission, or a farewell that changes relationships and surroundings.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does leaving come from?
The form leaving is derived from the Old English verb læfan, meaning to depart or to cause to depart. It developed through Middle English forms related to modern leave, while the -ing ending reflects the broader English pattern of forming present participles and gerunds. The related noun leave also preserves the older sense of departure or permission to depart, as in phrases such as “take leave.”
How leaving is actually used
As a verb form, leaving is normally used with a companion verb, such as “is leaving,” “has left,” or “keep leaving.” In expressions such as “leave behind” and “leave out,” it often conveys abandonment or omission rather than simple departure.
Easily confused with leaving
Leaving refers to departing or separating, whereas loathing means feeling intense dislike.