furlough

USAGE SUMMARY

"furlough" is an accepted word in the English language.
It is most commonly used to describe the temporary leave of absence granted to an employee, usually without pay. Example sentence: "Employees were given a two-week furlough in response to slow business."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I am certainly worried about meeting all of our monthly financial obligations if the furlough extends for more than two weeks.

The Guardian - Opinion

For the next couple of weeks it should be okay, but if the furlough stretches past the middle of October, I will have to consider my financial options.

The Guardian - Opinion

If the latter, the governor has even agreed to furlough himself.Cuts to social services and education may be the most painful.

The Economist

A handful of states have sacked workers; many more have frozen hiring or are asking workers to take furlough (compulsory unpaid leave).

The Economist

Israel's prime minister, Ariel Sharon, had made his capture a condition for any furlough Mr Arafat receives from his Ramallah internment.The news of Mr Saadat's detention caused eruptions in Gaza, Ramallah and Bethlehem, led by PFLP activists but not confined to them.

The Economist

So did a series of incendiary advertisements about Willie Horton, a convicted felon who went on a killing spree while on a furlough programme supported by Mr Dukakis.

The Economist

Such episodes hampered the presidential ambitions of Mike Huckabee, a former governor of Arkansas, and, most notoriously, Michael Dukakis, who supported a furlough programme that went sour.But such reticence only makes matters worse, argues Margaret Love, a former "pardon attorney" to presidents George Bush senior and Bill Clinton.

The Economist

The 12% pay cut consists of an 8% cut in pay rates plus 11 furlough days.

The Economist

It is worth remembering that the first person to raise the spectre of Willie Horton, a black murderer who committed a rape while on furlough, to demolish Michael Dukakis was a fellow Democrat, Al Gore.

The Economist

The Aerospace Industries Association, a trade group, reckons the Federal Aviation Administration's plan to furlough most of its 47,000 employees by one day per pay period could cut air traffic by 5% to 10%.

The Economist

It has lost $671m since 2007, and will be reducing flights and asking employees to go on furlough from early next year.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "furlough", be specific about whether it's a voluntary or involuntary leave, and the reason behind it (e.g., budget cuts, economic downturn).

Common error

Avoid using "furlough" interchangeably with "layoff". A "furlough" is temporary, with the expectation of return to work, while a layoff is a permanent termination of employment.

Linguistic Context

The word "furlough" functions primarily as a noun, denoting a leave of absence, especially from the armed forces or a period of unpaid leave from employment. It can also function as a verb, meaning to grant a furlough. Ludwig AI confirms this usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Encyclopedias

12%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Science

4%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "furlough" is a term primarily used as a noun to describe a temporary leave of absence, often unpaid, from employment or military duty. According to Ludwig, it can also function as a verb. The term is most frequently encountered in news and media contexts, followed by encyclopedias and formal business communications. It's crucial to distinguish "furlough" from "layoff", as the former implies a temporary absence with an expected return, while the latter signifies permanent termination. When using "furlough", clarify whether it is voluntary or involuntary and the reasons behind it to avoid confusion. Remember, you can use alternatives such as "temporary layoff" or "leave of absence" depending on the specific context you have.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

temporary layoff

Focuses specifically on the employment aspect of a furlough, highlighting the temporary suspension of work.

leave of absence

A more general term for being away from work or duty, not necessarily unpaid or involuntary.

temporary leave

Similar to "leave of absence" but emphasizes the limited duration of the absence.

unpaid leave

Highlights the financial aspect of a furlough, where the employee does not receive wages.

mandatory vacation

Emphasizes that the leave is required by the employer, although "furlough" is often due to economic reasons.

period of inactivity

Focuses on the state of being not actively working or engaged, removing the employment context.

suspension from work

A more neutral phrasing for a temporary interruption of work duties.

time off

A simple way to refer to having time away from work or duty.

sabbatical

Implies a longer and potentially voluntary period of leave, often for professional development.

break from duty

Highlights the temporary cessation of responsibilities.

FAQs

How to use "furlough" in a sentence?

You can use "furlough" to describe a temporary leave of absence from work, often without pay. For example, "Due to budget cuts, the company announced a two-week "furlough" for its employees."

What can I say instead of "furlough"?

You can use alternatives like "temporary layoff", "leave of absence", or "unpaid leave" depending on the context.

What's the difference between "furlough" and "layoff"?

"Furlough" is a temporary, unpaid leave with an expectation of return to work. A "layoff", on the other hand, is a permanent termination of employment.

Is "furlough" always unpaid?

While "furlough" typically implies unpaid leave, it's important to clarify the pay status when communicating about it to avoid misunderstandings.