furlough
furlough Lexical Profile
furlough Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A temporary, often unpaid leave of absence from employment imposed on workers due to economic conditions, budget cuts, or an operational shutdown.
"Hundreds of federal employees were placed on furlough during the budget impasse."
An authorized period of leave granted to a member of the armed services, a missionary, or a prison inmate.
"The overseas volunteer returned home on a two-month furlough to visit her family."
• verb
To place an employee on a temporary, typically unpaid leave of absence due to economic or operational circumstances.
"The airline had to furlough thousands of staff members when international travel declined."
To grant an authorized period of leave of absence to a member of the armed forces or a prisoner.
"Commanders decided to furlough the troops for two weeks over the holidays."
Word Nuance & Usage
Unlike a permanent layoff or dismissal, a furlough is a temporary, often unpaid leave of absence during which the employee retains their job status and usually expects to return to work.
• Rhymes for furlough
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed in the early 17th century from Dutch 'verlof' ('permission' or 'leave of absence'), composed of the prefix 'ver-' ('for-') and an element related to English 'leave'.