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furlough
/ˈfɜːrloʊ/
What does "furlough" mean in English?
temporary unpaid leaveThe company had to furlough employees due to financial difficulties.
The company temporarily laid off employees without pay because of money problems.
How to use "furlough" correctly: definitions and examples in English?
Business
formal
A temporary unpaid leave of absence from work, often due to economic conditions or operational needs.
Many airlines furloughed pilots during the pandemic to cut costs.
Many airlines temporarily laid off pilots without pay during the pandemic to reduce expenses.
Furloughs are often used as an alternative to permanent layoffs, allowing employers to retain workers for future rehiring.
Law
formal
A period of leave granted to a military member or government employee, often for personal or administrative reasons.
The soldier was granted a furlough to visit his family before deployment.
The soldier was given temporary leave to see his family before being sent to active duty.
In legal contexts, furloughs may have specific rules and durations.
Collocations
furlough employeestemporarily lay off workers without payfurlough workersplace workers on temporary unpaid leave
Antonyms
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Business Context
In business, furloughs are often used to reduce costs without terminating employees.
Gold Rule
Legal vs. Business Use
Furloughs in legal contexts (e.g., military) differ from business furloughs in duration and purpose.
Word Origin
From Dutch 'verlof' (permission to leave), from 'ver-' (away) + 'lof' (permission).
Usage Notes
Furloughs are distinct from layoffs in that they imply the possibility of returning to work, whereas layoffs are often permanent.
Word Breakdown
furl
to roll or turn
prefixough
suffix indicating a state or condition
suffixEnglish Dictionary