leave
leave Lexical Profile
leave Game Scores & Validity
• verb
To allow or cause someone or something to remain in a particular place, condition, or position without taking or disturbing them.
"Please leave your umbrella by the front door so the floor stays dry."
To go away from a place or person.
"Our train is scheduled to leave the station at noon."
To cease attending, working for, or residing in an institution, organization, or group.
"He decided to leave the company after ten years to start his own business."
To entrust a decision, task, or responsibility to another person.
"I will leave the final scheduling details to the project coordinator."
To bequeath or pass on property or money to someone upon one's death.
"Her grandmother decided to leave the family cottage to the grandchildren in her will."
• noun
An authorized period of absence from work or military duty.
"She took two months of parental leave after the baby was born."
Official permission or consent to do something.
"The defense attorney requested leave from the judge to approach the bench."
Word Nuance & Usage
'Leave' is a homograph derived from two distinct Old English roots: the verb meaning 'to depart or let remain' (from Old English 'laefan') and the noun meaning 'permission or authorized absence' (from Old English 'leaf', related to 'love' and 'believe').
• Rhymes for leave
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
The verb comes from Old English 'laefan' ('to allow to remain, bequeath'), from Proto-Germanic '*laibijana'. The noun comes from Old English 'leaf' ('permission, privilege'), from Proto-Germanic '*laubo', sharing a root with 'love' and 'believe'.