B1nounwork
US/liːv/
UK/liːv/
time away from work that you are allowed to take, for example for a holiday or illness
More often (verb): to go away from a place or a person
In context
She is on maternity leave until the end of March.
I need to take three days' leave to attend my sister's wedding.
New employees get twelve days of paid leave a year.
Words that go with leave
adjective + noun
- sick leaveHe has been on sick leave since his operation.
- annual leaveI've already used all my annual leave for this year.
- paid leaveThe law gives workers at least twelve days of paid leave.
- unpaid leaveHe took unpaid leave to care for his father.
noun + noun
- maternity leaveWorkers in Vietnam can take six months of maternity leave.
- paternity leaveMore fathers now take paternity leave when a baby is born.
Common mistakes
Incorrect:
I will take a leave tomorrow.Correct: I will take a day off tomorrow.