What is leave? Pronunciation and usage in English

leave means . Learn how to pronounce and use leave through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of leave

leaveverb

/liːv/
Definition & pronunciation of leave

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "leave" in English. It's a tricky one for many learners! Here's a breakdown:

The most common and generally accepted pronunciation is:

  • /liːv/ (rhymes with "reef")

Let's break that down further:

  • "li": This sounds like the "ee" in "see" or "tree." It's a long "i" sound.
  • "ve": This is where it gets tricky! It's not pronounced like "v" and "e" separately. Instead, it's a single sound that's a bit like the "uh" in "but" but slightly more forward in your mouth. Think of it as a short, almost swallowed, "uh" sound. Many people describe it as a "vuh" sound.

A helpful trick:

Try saying "leaf" and then dropping the "f" and shortening the "ea" sound. That will get you closer to the pronunciation of "leave."

Here's how it might sound when spoken (you can type it into Google Translate or use an online pronunciation tool):

Common Mispronunciations:

  • "leev": (rhymes with "veev") – This is a very common mistake. The "ee" sound is incorrect.
  • "lief": (rhymes with "beef") – This is also incorrect.

Resources for hearing it:

Would you like me to:

  • Give you some example sentences using "leave"?
  • Practice saying the word with me (you can type it out)?

Usage and examples with the word leave in English

Let's break down how to use the word "leave" in English. It's a hugely versatile word with many different meanings and ways to use it. Here’s a breakdown categorized for clarity:

1. To Go Away (Departure)

  • Basic Use: This is the most common meaning – to depart from a place.

    • "I leave for London tomorrow." (Leaving)
    • "They left the party early." (Went away)
    • "She left the house without saying goodbye." (Departed)

  • Phrases:

    • Leave for: To begin a journey. “I leave for California next week.”
    • Leave out: To exclude something. “Don’t leave out any important details.”
    • Leave behind: To take something with you when you leave. "I left behind my coat."

2. To Stop (Ceasing an Action)

  • Leaving something undone: To stop doing something.
    • "I need to leave working late tonight." (To stop working)
    • "Please leave making noise." (To stop making noise)

3. To Release (Giving Something Up)

  • Giving up a right or privilege: To relinquish something.
    • "You leave it to me." (Allow me/Let me handle it)
    • "He left his seat on the bus." (Gave up his seat)
    • "You leave the decision to me." (I'll decide for you)

4. To Abandon (Neglecting)

  • To desert or abandon someone or something: (Often carries a negative connotation)
    • "Don’t leave your children alone." (Don't abandon)
    • "The company left its employees stranded." (Abandoned)

5. To Allow (Giving Permission)

  • To permit someone to do something: (More formal)
    • "You leave me in peace." (Allow me to be alone)
    • "Please leave him alone." (Don't bother him)

6. As a Verb in the Past Participle ("Left")

  • As an Adjective: Describing something that has been left behind or removed.

    • "I found a left glove." (A glove that was dropped)
    • "She wore a left earring."( indicating the earring is on the left side)

  • Part of Phrasal Verbs: "Leave" is used extensively in phrasal verbs (verbs + prepositions/particles). These often have meanings quite different from the basic verb. Here are some common ones:

    • Leave out: (as mentioned above)
    • Leave on: To turn something on. "Please leave the light on."
    • Leave up to: (as mentioned above)
    • Leave off: To stop doing something. “Leave off complaining!”
    • Leave behind: (as mentioned above)
    • Leave over: To postpone. "Let’s leave the discussion over until tomorrow."

7. As a Noun (Less Common)

  • A leaving: A departure or farewell. “I gave her a final leave.”

Tips for Using "Leave" Correctly:

  • Context is Key: The meaning of "leave" is highly dependent on the context. Pay close attention to the surrounding words to understand what's being communicated.
  • Pronunciation: The pronunciation of "leave" varies slightly depending on where you are:
    • American English: /liːv/ (rhymes with “give”)
    • British English: /lɛv/ (rhymes with “eve”)

Resources for More Examples & Practice:

To help me give you even more targeted advice, could you tell me:

  • What specifically are you struggling with when using "leave"? (e.g., are you having trouble with phrasal verbs, understanding the different meanings, or something else?)

Synonyms for the word leave

Idioms of the word leave

be left to yourself
to be alone
  • I didn’t know anyone in New York, so I was left to myself to explore.
to be allowed to do what you want
  • Left to himself, the dog will eat anything and everything.
somebody can take it or leave it
used to say that you do not care if somebody accepts or rejects your offer
    used to say that somebody does not have a strong opinion about something
    • Dancing? I can take it or leave it.
    leave somebody be
    (informal)to stop annoying somebody or trying to get their attention
    • Why can’t you stop texting me and just leave me be?
    leave go (of something)
    (British English, informal)to stop holding on to something
    • Leave go of my arm—you're hurting me!
    leave it at that
    (informal)to say or do nothing more about something
    • We'll never agree, so let's just leave it at that.
    leave it out
    (British English, informal)used to tell somebody to stop doing something

      Comment ()