Skip to main content

furlough — a temporary leave of absence from work, especially that granted to a member of the armed services

Part of speech: NOUN

Definition: a temporary leave of absence from work, especially that granted to a member of the armed services

Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈfɜːrloʊ/

Example Sentences

  • During the pandemic, many companies put employees on furlough instead of firing them permanently.
  • The prison guard was excited about his furlough until he realized he had nowhere to go.
  • The government announced a furlough program to help businesses retain workers during the economic downturn.

furlough

NOUN

[/ˈfɜːrloʊ/]

a temporary leave of absence from work, especially that granted to a member of the armed services

Soldiers on furlough rush home to hug their families at the train station.
💡 Concept

Soldiers on furlough rush home to hug their families at the train station.

Furlough leaves behind today's sorrow, brings hope for tomorrow!
🎵 Rhyme

Furlough leaves behind today's sorrow, brings hope for tomorrow!

Got the picture? Now let's practice.

🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/ˈfɜːrloʊ/
🇬🇧 UK/ˈfɜːləʊ/

🌳Etymology

Rootfurlough

Origin

Furlough derives from 17th-century Dutch 'verlof', meaning 'permission' or 'leave'. Originally a military term for temporary absence from duty, it has since expanded to mean a general leave of absence or temporary layoff from employment.

Breakdown

Dutch 'verlof' (permission, leave) → English 'furlough'. The Dutch root combines 'ver-' (for) + 'lof' (permission), literally 'for-permission'.

🎵Rhyme

borrow
sorrow
morrow

🔗Collocations

mandatory furlough
furlough day
grant a furlough
unpaid furlough
temporary furlough
furlough scheme

📝Examples

“During the pandemic, many companies put employees on furlough instead of firing them permanently.”

😄 Fun example

“The prison guard was excited about his furlough until he realized he had nowhere to go.”

“The government announced a furlough program to help businesses retain workers during the economic downturn.”

😄 Fun example

“He spent his military furlough teaching his grandmother how to use TikTok.”

📚Related Words

Want to master 27,000+ words?

Sign up free for flashcards & quizzes.