leave out

/liːv aʊt/
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An everyday phrasal verb for excluding someone or something from a larger whole, and for letting something remain outside or in the open.

Examples

  • The article leaves out several important dates.
  • Do not leave out the milk in warm weather.
  • She left the blankets out for the guests.
  • You can leave out the cooler on the porch.
  • Please leave out the optional questions.

Similar words

set out
miss out
exclude
skip
omit
leave outside
put out
leave off
drop
keep out

Meanings

Not include or mention

communication
neutral
To fail to include someone or something, or to avoid mentioning a detail that might otherwise be expected.

Examples

  • Please leave out the optional questions.
  • The article leaves out several important dates.
  • They left my name out of the credits.
  • Do not leave out anyone who helped with the project.
  • The recipe still works if you leave out the chili.
  • A single missing word had been left out of the sentence.
  • The coach decided to leave out two injured players.

Similar words

Leave somewhere exposed

everyday
neutral
To let something remain outside, uncovered, or away from where it would normally be stored.

Examples

  • We left the chairs out overnight.
  • Do not leave out the milk in warm weather.
  • The tools were left out in the rain.
  • She left the blankets out for the guests.
  • Several ingredients were still left out after breakfast.
  • You can leave out the cooler on the porch.
  • He always leaves his shoes out by the door.

Similar words

Etymology

A phrasal verb from leave plus out. The omit or exclude sense is recorded from the late 1400s.

FAQ

What does leave out mean?

Leave out usually means to omit, exclude, or fail to mention someone or something.

Can leave out mean leaving something outside?

Yes. Leave out can also mean to let something stay outside, uncovered, or not put away.

What is the past tense of leave out?

The past tense is left out, as in They left out my name.

Is leaved out correct?

No. Use left out for the past tense and past participle.

Is leave out the same as left out?

Leave out is the base form. Left out is its past form, and it can also describe someone who has been excluded.

Can leave out be used for people?

Yes. A person can be left out of a list, invitation, photo, conversation, or plan.

Should a pronoun go before or after out?

A pronoun normally goes before out: say leave it out, not leave out it.

What are synonyms for leave out?

Common synonyms include omit, exclude, skip, miss out, and drop.

What is the opposite of leave out?

For the omission sense, the main opposite is include. For the physical sense, natural opposites include put away and bring in.

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