Word of the Day: Leave
To leave is to go away from a place. The word “depart” is a synonym for “leave.”
| simple | past | past participle |
|---|---|---|
|
leave
|
left
|
left
|
- What time does your plane leave? (What time does your plane depart?
- Theresa is leaving next Friday for Europe.
- What time do you leave for work in the morning?
- What time do you leave and what time do you get there?
- I’m leaving now. Bye.
This word is also often used when asking that something or someone remain unchanged or without assistance.
- You can leave that there. Don’t move it.
- We left our door unlocked.
- How long can you leave your kids alone? (leave alone = without supervision)
- Please leave the chicken out of the freezer so that it can thaw.
- Don’t leave the milk out of the refrigerator for too long. (It will spoil,)
- We’re going to leave this situation alone. (We’re not going to do anything.)
- Please leave me alone. (I don’t want the company of another person.)
As a verb, “leave” is used for many different kinds of situations that involve a major change in a person’s life.
- Bertha is leaving her husband. (She’s getting a divorce.)
- Our supervisor is leaving at the end of May. (She’s going to a new job.)
- The recession left many people without a job. (leave = result)
- A hurricane left many people without homes to return to.
- Soldiers left the village in ruins.
- You leave me with no choice but to fire you. (Your performance at work can not be changed, so here is the consequence.)
The word “leaves” is the plural form for the word “leaf.”
- The leaves on the trees are just emerging from their buds.
- Most leaves are green, but you can also find leaves that are purple, yellow, and even black.
- I have to rake up all of these leaves on the ground.
When “leave” is used as a noun, it refers to a period of absence from work or school.
- Rachel is taking a leave of absence because she’s going to have a baby soon.
- Mark is on leave from his regular assignment. (on leave = to take a temporary break of days, weeks, or months)
- Soldiers in the military are temporarily on leave following a period of service.
- A soldier who walks away from his or her position without permission is AWOL ( absent without leave). .
Essential English Dictionary
Visit the Popular English Words Beginning with L page to see the list of all words starting with letter L. For seeing the HiCafe dictionary, visit the Popular English Words with Meaning page.
