Definition leave in American English

leave noun

[uncountable] noun

/liv/

▪ give, grant, obtain, request, seek

a period of time away from your job, school, or the military

Example

Tony, who had been granted leave, was home for several weeks.

Example

You are entitled to six weeks' annual leave.

Example

I met her while I was on leave.

Synonyms and related words

absenteeism break career gapper

Explore Thesaurus

Example

You've been granted leave to appeal against the decision.

Example

Sanchez was absent without leave from Fort Liley.

Example

By your leave, I'll see to the arrangements immediately.

Synonyms and related words

permission consent approval

Explore Thesaurus

Words related to leave:

book leave (noun) buy-to-leave (adjective) can take something or leave it (phrase) compassionate leave (noun) educational leave (noun) gardening leave (noun) someone dangling (phrase) your options open (phrase) leave (verb) leave (noun) leave a to be desired (phrase) leave aside (phrasal verb) leave behind (phrasal verb) leave it at that (phrase) leave no stone unturned (phrase) leave of absence (noun) leave off (phrasal verb) leave out (phrasal verb) leave over (phrasal verb) leave someone (with) no choice (phrase) leave someone cold (phrase) leave someone high and dry (phrase) leave someone in the dust (phrase) leave someone in the lurch (phrase) leave someone out in the cold (phrase) leave someone to the (tender) mercies of (phrase) leave someone to their own devices (phrase) leave hanging (phrase) leave standing (phrase) leave something aside (phrase) leave something to (phrase) leave something to someone’s imagination (phrase) leave mark (on) (phrase) leave-taking (noun) a sinking ship (phrase) the nest (phrase) someone alone (phrase) something alone (phrase) well (enough) alone (phrase) something for last (phrase) love them and leave them (phrase) maternity leave (noun) leave (phrase) to the imagination (phrase) parental leave (noun) paternity leave (noun) shore leave (noun) sick leave (phrase) sick leave (noun) take leave of someone (phrase) take leave of your senses (phrase) take your leave (phrase) without so much as a by your leave (phrase)