/liːv/verb(past tense and past participleleft/left/)
Definition
GO AWAY[I, T]›to go away from a place or a situation, either permanently or for a temporary period: I'm leaving work early this afternoon.What time does the bus leave?They left for Paris last night."Does Trevor still work there?" "No, he left" (= he does not work there now).She left school at 16.
END RELATIONSHIP[I, T]›to end a relationship with a husband, wife, or partner and stop living with them: I'll never leave you.She left him for a younger man.
NOT TAKE[T]›to not take something with you when you go away from a place, either intentionally or by accident: Why don't you leave your jacket in the car?She'd left a note for him in the kitchen.That's the second umbrella I've left on the train!
NOT USE ALL[T]›to not use all of something: They'd drunk all the wine but they'd left some food.Are there any biscuits left?
REMAIN[T]›to make a permanent mark: The operation may leave a scar.
leave sth open/on/off, etc›to cause something to stay in a particular condition: Who left the window open?
DO LATER[T]›to do something later that you could do immediately: Don't leave your packing till the night before you go.
GIVE[T]›to arrange for someone to receive something after you die: His aunt left him a lot of money.He left the house to Julia.
leave sb alone›to stop speaking to or annoying someone: Leave me alone! I'm trying to work.