Skip to main content

sick leave — Time off from work due to illness or injury

Part of speech: NOUN

Definition: Time off from work due to illness or injury

Pronunciation (IPA): /sɪk liːv/

Example Sentences

  • My boss is so understanding that he even sends chicken soup when employees take sick leave.
  • The company offers 10 days of paid sick leave per year.
  • He's been on sick leave for three weeks after his surgery.

sick leave

NOUN

[/sɪk liːv/]

Time off from work due to illness or injury

a visibly unwell office worker sits at their desk holding their forehead with one hand while talking to their supervisor. The employee has a thermometer in their mouth and looks pale with tired eyes. The supervisor stands beside them with a caring expression, gently placing a hand on their shoulder while gesturing toward the exit door. Other coworkers in the background look on with understanding faces as they continue their work. A desk calendar shows crossed-out days indicating the planned absence. The supervisor points toward home while nodding supportively.  time off from work due to illness or injury
💡 Concept

a visibly unwell office worker sits at their desk holding their forehead with one hand while talking to their supervisor. The employee has a thermometer in their mouth and looks pale with tired eyes. The supervisor stands beside them with a caring expression, gently placing a hand on their shoulder while gesturing toward the exit door. Other coworkers in the background look on with understanding faces as they continue their work. A desk calendar shows crossed-out days indicating the planned absence. The supervisor points toward home while nodding supportively. time off from work due to illness or injury

On sick leave but believe, you'll still achieve!
🎵 Rhyme

On sick leave but believe, you'll still achieve!

Got the picture? Now let's practice.

🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/sɪk liːv/
🇬🇧 UK/sɪk liːv/

🌳Etymology

Rootsick + leave

Origin

The compound term combines Old English 'seoc' (ill, diseased) with Old English 'leaf' (permission, leave). The concept of authorized absence from work due to illness developed as industrial labor systems formalized employee benefits in the 19th century.

Breakdown

sick (Old English 'seoc', meaning ill or unwell) + leave (Old English 'leaf', meaning permission or authorized absence). The compound denotes a formal grant of time off work for medical reasons.

🎵Rhyme

believe
achieve
receive

🔗Collocations

take sick leave
sick leave policy
extended sick leave
paid sick leave
sick leave benefits
return from sick leave

📝Examples

😄 Fun example

“My boss is so understanding that he even sends chicken soup when employees take sick leave.”

“The company offers 10 days of paid sick leave per year.”

“He's been on sick leave for three weeks after his surgery.”

😄 Fun example

“Some people mysteriously need sick leave every Monday morning.”

📚Related Words

Want to master 27,000+ words?

Sign up free for flashcards & quizzes.