Leaf vs. Leave: Difference and Comparison
Edited by Muazma Batool — By Muneeza Rehman — Updated on September 26, 2023
Leaf is the green, flat organ of plants, while leave means to depart from a place.
Difference Between Leaf and Leave
Leaf primarily refers to the flat, green part of a plant that's responsible for photosynthesis. This structure allows plants to absorb sunlight and convert it into energy. Leave, on the other hand, is a verb that describes the action of departing or going away from a particular location or situation.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 26, 2023
Diving deeper into the word "leaf," it's evident in many plants and trees. It can be broad, needle-like, or even come in various colors during different seasons. In contrast, "leave" has various contexts, such as taking a break from work or ending a relationship, illustrating its versatility as a verb.
Muazma Batool
Sep 26, 2023
There are phrases where "leaf" and "leave" might seem connected, such as "turn over a new leaf." Here, "leaf" metaphorically represents a page in a book, implying a new beginning. In contrast, "leave" can be used in idioms like "take it or leave it," emphasizing a choice to accept or reject something.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 26, 2023
Interestingly, "leaf" can also be a verb, implying the growth or production of leaves, as in "the trees begin to leaf out in spring." Meanwhile, "leave" as a noun can refer to permission or approval, as in getting "leave" from work. Despite these nuances, the primary meanings of both words are quite distinct: one is plant-related, and the other concerns departure.
Kaitlyn
Sep 26, 2023
Another layer to these words arises from their plural forms. "Leaf" becomes "leaves," which can be confusing since "leaves" is also the third person singular form of "leave." Despite this overlap, context usually makes their meanings clear.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 26, 2023
Leaf vs. Leave Comparison Chart
Extended Meaning
Can also mean pages in a book
Can mean permission or approval
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 26, 2023
Leaf vs. Leave Definitions
◉Leaf
A usually green, flattened, lateral structure attached to a stem and functioning as a principal organ of photosynthesis and transpiration in most plants.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Leave
To have as a result, consequence, or remainder
The car left a trail of exhaust fumes. Two from eight leaves six.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Leaf
The leaves of a plant used or processed for a specific purpose
large supplies of tobacco leaf.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Leave
To cause or allow to be or remain in a specified state
left the lights on.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Leaf
Any of the sheets of paper bound in a book, each side of which constitutes a page.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Leave
To give over to another to control or act on
Leave all the details to us.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Leaf
A hinged or otherwise movable section of a folding door, shutter, or gate.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Leave
To remove oneself from association with or participation in
left the navy for civilian life.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Leave
To give or deposit, as for use or information, upon one's departure or in one's absence
He left a note for you. Leave your name and address.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Leaf
To turn pages, as in searching or browsing
leafed through the catalog.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Leaf
The usually green and flat organ that represents the most prominent feature of most vegetative plants.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Leave
An act of departing; a farewell
took leave of her with a heavy heart.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Leaf
A sheet of a book, magazine, etc (consisting of two pages, one on each face of the leaf).
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Leave
(transitive) To cause or allow (something) to remain as available; to refrain from taking (something) away; to stop short of consuming or otherwise depleting (something) entirely.
I left my car at home and took a bus to work.
The ants did not leave so much as a crumb of bread.
There's not much food left. We'd better go to the shops.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Leave
To cause, to result in.
The lightning left her dazzled for several minutes.
Infantile paralysis left him lame for the rest of his life.
She left disappointed.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Leave
(transitive) To put; to place; to deposit; to deliver, with a sense of withdrawing oneself.
Leave your hat in the hall.
We should leave the legal matters to lawyers.
I left my sewing and went to the window to watch the falling snow.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Leaf
A moveable panel, e.g. of a bridge or door, originally one that hinged but now also applied to other forms of movement.
The train car has one single-leaf and two double-leaf doors per side.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Leaf
(botany) A foliage leaf or any of the many and often considerably different structures it can specialise into.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Leave
To let be or do without interference.
I left him to his reflections.
I leave my hearers to judge.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Leave
(transitive) To depart from; to end one's connection or affiliation with.
I left the country and I left my wife.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Leave
(transitive) To end one's membership in (a group); to terminate one's affiliation with (an organization); to stop participating in (a project).
I left the band.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Leave
(intransitive) To depart; to go away from a certain place or state.
I think you'd better leave.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Leave
(transitive) To transfer possession of after death.
When my father died, he left me the house.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Leave
(transitive) To give (something) to someone; to deliver (something) to a repository; to deposit.
I'll leave the car in the station so you can pick it up there.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Leaf
(transitive) To divide (a vegetable) into separate leaves.
The lettuce in our burgers is 100% hand-leafed.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Leave
(transitive) To transfer responsibility or attention of (something) (to someone); to stop being concerned with.
Can't we just leave this to the experts?
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Leaf
A colored, usually green, expansion growing from the side of a stem or rootstock, in which the sap for the use of the plant is elaborated under the influence of light; one of the parts of a plant which collectively constitute its foliage.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Leaf
A special organ of vegetation in the form of a lateral outgrowth from the stem, whether appearing as a part of the foliage, or as a cotyledon, a scale, a bract, a spine, or a tendril.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Leaf
Something which is like a leaf in being wide and thin and having a flat surface, or in being attached to a larger body by one edge or end;
They were both determined to turn over a new leaf.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Leave
(transitive) To give leave to; allow; permit; let; grant.
We were not left go to the beach after school except on a weekend.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Leaf
To shoot out leaves; to produce leaves; to leave; as, the trees leaf in May.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Leaf
a sheet of any written or printed material (especially in a manuscript or book)
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Leave
(cricket) The action of the batsman not attempting to play at the ball.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Leave
(billiards) The arrangement of balls in play that remains after a shot is made (which determines whether the next shooter — who may be either the same player, or an opponent — has good options, or only poor ones).
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Leaf
look through a book or other written material;
He thumbed through the report
She leafed through the volume
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Leave
Permission to be absent; time away from one's work.
I've been given three weeks' leave by my boss.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Leave
Permission.
Might I beg leave to accompany you?
The applicant now seeks leave to appeal and, if leave be granted, to appeal against these sentences.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Leave
(dated) Farewell, departure.
I took my leave of the gentleman without a backward glance.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Leaf
Flat, green part of a plant.
The leaf of the oak tree is quite distinct.
Muazma Batool
Sep 26, 2023
◉Leave
To withdraw one's self from; to go away from; to depart from; as, to leave the house.
Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Leave
To let remain unremoved or undone; to let stay or continue, in distinction from what is removed or changed.
If grape gatherers come to thee, would they not leave some gleaning grapes ?
These ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.
Besides it leaveth a suspicion, as if more might be said than is expressed.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Leave
To cease from; to desist from; to abstain from.
Now leave complaining and begin your tea.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Leave
To desert; to abandon; to forsake; hence, to give up; to relinquish.
Lo, we have left all, and have followed thee.
The heresies that men do leave.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Leave
To let be or do without interference; as, I left him to his reflections; I leave my hearers to judge.
I will leave you now to your gossiplike humor.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Leave
To put; to place; to deposit; to deliver; to commit; to submit - with a sense of withdrawing one's self from; as, leave your hat in the hall; we left our cards; to leave the matter to arbitrators.
Leave there thy gift before the altar and go thy way.
The footThat leaves the print of blood where'er it walks.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Leave
To have remaining at death; hence, to bequeath; as, he left a large estate; he left a good name; he left a legacy to his niece.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Leave
to cause to be; - followed by an adjective or adverb describing a state or condition; as, the losses due to fire leave me penniless; The cost of defending himself left Bill Clinton with a mountain of lawyers' bills.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Leave
To cease; to desist; to leave off.
Leave off, and for another summons wait.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Leave
Liberty granted by which restraint or illegality is removed; permission; allowance; license.
David earnestly asked leave of me.
No friend has leave to bear away the dead.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Leave
The act of leaving or departing; a formal parting; a leaving; farewell; adieu; - used chiefly in the phrase, to take leave, i. e., literally, to take permission to go.
A double blessing is a'double grace;Occasion smiles upon a second leave.
And Paul after this tarried there yet a good while, and then took his leave of the brethren.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Leave
the period of time during which you are absent from work or duty;
a ten day's leave to visit his mother
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Leave
the act of departing politely;
he disliked long farewells
he took his leave
parting is such sweet sorrow
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Leave
go away from a place;
At what time does your train leave?
She didn't leave until midnight
The ship leaves at midnight
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Leave
go and leave behind, either intentionally or by neglect or forgetfulness;
She left a mess when she moved out
His good luck finally left him
her husband left her after 20 years of marriage
she wept thinking she had been left behind
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Leave
act or be so as to become in a specified state;
The inflation left them penniless
The president's remarks left us speechless
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Leave
leave unchanged or undisturbed or refrain from taking;
leave it as is
leave the young fawn alone
leave the flowers that you see in the park behind
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Leave
move out of or depart from;
leave the room
the fugitive has left the country
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Leave
make a possibility or provide opportunity for; permit to be attainable or cause to remain;
This leaves no room for improvement
The evidence allows only one conclusion
allow for mistakes
leave lots of time for the trip
This procedure provides for lots of leeway
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Leave
result in;
The water left a mark on the silk dress
Her blood left a stain on the napkin
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Leave
remove oneself from an association with or participation in;
She wants to leave
The teenager left home
She left her position with the Red Cross
He left the Senate after two terms
after 20 years with the same company, she pulled up stakes
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Leave
put into the care or protection of someone;
He left the decision to his deputy
leave your child the nurse's care
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Leave
leave or give by will after one's death;
My aunt bequeathed me all her jewelry
My grandfather left me his entire estate
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Leave
have left or have as a remainder;
That left the four of us
19 minus 8 leaves 11
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Leave
be survived by after one's death;
He left six children
At her death, she left behind her husband and 11 cats
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Leave
tell or deposit (information) knowledge;
give a secret to the Russians
leave your name and address here
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Leave
leave behind unintentionally;
I forgot my umbrella in the restaurant
I left my keys inside the car and locked the doors
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Leave
To let something remain in a specific place.
Please leave the keys on the table.
Henry
Sep 26, 2023
◉Leave
To cause or allow to be in a particular condition.
Leave the door open.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 26, 2023
Leaf vs. Leave Frequently Asked Questions
Can leaf also be used as a verb?
Yes, such as in "trees begin to leaf out in spring."
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 26, 2023
Does leave have a noun form?
Yes, indicating permission, like taking a leave from work.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 26, 2023
What's a common mistake with leaf and leave?
Confusing "leaves" as both the plural form of leaf and the third person singular of leave.
Olivia
Sep 26, 2023
Does "leaves" also relate to the word leave?
Yes, as the third person singular form of the verb.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 26, 2023
Content Creators
Written by
Muneeza RehmanAt Comparisons.wiki, Muneeza skillfully navigates the vast sea of information, ensuring clarity and accuracy as the lead content editor. With a keen eye for detail, she curates every comparison to enlighten and engage readers.
Edited by
Muazma BatoolAs a content editor, Muazma Batool is not just a grammar guru but a creative mastermind who breathes life into every word. With an eagle eye for detail and a passion for storytelling, she transforms bland text into engaging content that captivates audiences and drives results.
