leave

verb (REMAIN)

/liːv/ (left, left)

Definition

A2 If something leaves something else, a part or effect of it stays after it has gone or been used: His shoes left muddy marks on the floor. [+ two objects] If I give you £10 that won't leave me enough cash to pay the bill. [+ obj + adj ] Far from improving things the new law has left many people worse off (= they are now in a worse situation) than before.Affecting and influencing B2 [T] If you leave something in a particular condition you do not touch it, move it, or act to change it in any way, so that it stays in the same condition: Leave that chair where it is. He left most of his dinner (= did not eat much of it). [+ obj + adj ] The family were left (= became and continued to be) homeless. I'll have to go back - I think I've left the iron on. You can leave the window open. Leave your sister alone (= stop annoying her).Keeping and staying the sameNot able to be changed C1 [T + obj + -ing verb ] If you leave something or someone doing something, when you go away they are still doing it: I left the children watching television. He left the engine running.Departing

(Definition of leave verb (REMAIN) from the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary & Thesaurus © Cambridge University Press)