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Definition leave in British English

leave verb

verb
/liːv/
1

to go away from a place

Example

We left London at three in the afternoon.

Example

Your plane leaves in ten minutes.

Example

If they leave after lunch, they should arrive by dark.

Example

We have to leave within the hour in order to be on time.

Example

The ship left before dawn.

Example

They left by the back door.

Example

She leaves for work at 7.30 every morning.

Synonyms and related words
leave move on go away
1.1

to go away from a place and allow someone to continue doing something there

Example

I'll leave you to your crossword puzzle.

Example

I'll leave you to get on with your book.

Synonyms and related words
leave move on go away
2

to leave a place permanently

Example

She left her home town for the bright lights of New York.

Example

He didn't leave home until he was 24.

Synonyms and related words
leave move on go away
2.1

to leave a person permanently because a relationship has ended

Example

The kids were devastated when Ben left.

Example

His wife has threatened to leave him.

Synonyms and related words
defriend unfriend break off
3

to stop working for an organization or going to school or college

Example

He decided to leave the company after 15 years.

Example

At 16 he left school in order to work and support his family.

Example

I'm leaving at the end of the month.

Synonyms and related words
absence absenteeism attend resign retire stand down
4

to put something somewhere, especially in a place where it will stay

Example

Leave your things by the door.

Example

I'll only be a minute so I'll leave my coat on.

Example

Massage the conditioner into your hair and leave it in for a few minutes.

Synonyms and related words
put place position
4.1

to put something in a place and forget to take it away with you

Example

I left my homework on the bus.

Synonyms and related words
forget blot out blank out
4.2

to put a message somewhere for someone else to receive later

Example

Chris left a message on your answerphone.

Example

I'll leave a note for Leigh.

Synonyms and related words
put place position
4.3

to produce a mark that remains after you have gone

Example

Wherever ants go, they leave a chemical trail for other ants to follow.

Synonyms and related words
result in decide provoke
5

to arrange for someone to stay in a place or with a particular person

Example

I don't want to leave my mother at home on her own.

Example

She left the children with a friend for the afternoon.

Synonyms and related words
come drive walk
6

to produce a situation, especially a bad one, that continues after you have gone

Example

The previous government left the economy in ruins.

Example

The storm left 50,000 homes without power.

Synonyms and related words
result in decide provoke
7

to make someone feel a particular emotion or have a particular opinion

Example

His betrayal left her heartbroken.

Example

I was left with the impression that she wasn't being quite honest.

Example

Kate's sudden departure left us all wondering what was going to happen.

Synonyms and related words
affect provoke inspire
8

to not do something, especially because you prefer to do it later or so that someone else can do it

Example

Leave the dishes and do them in the morning.

Example

Don't worry - just leave everything to me.

Example

'I think I can manage OK now.' 'Fine. I'll leave you to it then.'

Synonyms and related words
bother abstain neglect
8.1

to not make a decision and let someone else make it

Example

Leave questions of guilt or innocence for the jury to decide.

9

to not use something

Example

I hope you've left enough hot water for me to have a shower.

Example

How much time is there left?

Example

We don't have much money left.

Synonyms and related words
lay down lay up save on
9.1

to not eat or drink something

Example

You've left half your dinner - didn't you like it?

Example

Leave some cake for the rest of us!

Synonyms and related words
lay down lay up save on
9.2

to not use an area of something

Example

Leave plenty of space between you and the car in front.

Synonyms and related words
lay down lay up save on
10

to give something to someone before you go away

Example

Leave your pager number with me, and I'll call you if there's a change.

Synonyms and related words
give present hand
10.1

to give something to someone after you die, in a will

Example

She left her jewels to her favourite niece.

Example

He left her all his money.

11

to have close family members who continue to live after you die

Example

He leaves a wife, a daughter, and three sons.

12

to make an amount remain after taking some away

Example

8 minus 5 leaves 3

Synonyms and related words
add up come to amount to
13

to stop annoying or criticizing someone

Example

Please leave the kid be.

Definition leave in British English

Related Words

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 a nasty taste (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 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 someone/something hanging (phrase) leave someone/something standing (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 alone (phrase) something until last (phrase) love them and leave them (phrase) maternity leave (noun) leave (phrase) to the imagination () parental leave (noun) paternity leave (noun) shore leave (noun) sick leave (noun) take French leave (phrase) take leave of someone (phrase) take leave of your senses (phrase) take your leave (phrase) without so much as a by your leave (phrase)