furlough

[ fur-loh ]

noun

1. Military. a vacation or leave of absence granted to an enlisted person.
2. a usually temporary layoff from work:

   Many plant workers have been forced to go on furlough.

3. a temporary leave of absence authorized for a prisoner from a penitentiary.

verb (used with object)

1. to grant a furlough to.
2. to lay (an employee or worker) off from work, usually temporarily.

furlough

/ ˈfɜːləʊ /

noun

1. leave of absence from military duty
2. a temporary laying-off of employees, usually because there is insufficient work to occupy them

verb

1. to grant a furlough to
2. to lay off (staff) temporarily

Other Words From

• pre·furlough noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of furlough¹

First recorded in 1615–25; variant of earlier furloff, furlogh, from Dutch verlof “dismissal, permission to leave,” appparently from Middle Low German vorlōf, noun derivative of vorlöven “to permit (to leave),” blend of vor- for- and erlöven “to allow, permit” ( a- ³( def ), leave ²( def ) ); cognate with German erlauben, verlauben, Gothic uslaubjan, Old English ālīefan “to allow, permit”; current pronunciation by association with dough, etc.

Word History and Origins

Origin of furlough¹

C17: from Dutch verlof , from ver- for- + lof leave, permission; related to Swedish förlof

Example Sentences

Thousands of other staff are already on a rolling furlough due to the strike, which has also hit suppliers.

From BBC

Scott, who was once a scratch golfer, set up the business selling golf accessories during the pandemic while on furlough.

From BBC

It has also said that US-based executives, managers and staff would be asked to take one week of furlough every four weeks for as long as the walkout lasts.

From BBC

The aerospace giant said US-based executives, managers and staff would be asked to take one week of furlough every four weeks as long as the stand-off lasts.

From BBC

“The one place that has made progress on regional equality is Germany. But that’s taken three decades and spending the equivalent of the UK’s furlough scheme each year.”

From BBC