# furlough

/ˈfɝɫoʊ/ (US) · /fˈɜːləʊ/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/furlough
Updated: 2026-05-28

## Definition

a period of time when an employee is away from work but still gets paid. It is often used when a company needs to reduce costs for a short time.

For teachers: a period of temporary leave from work, typically unpaid or with reduced pay, granted by an employer. Often used in the context of economic downturns or seasonal business cycles.

## Examples

- The company placed many employees on furlough during the winter.
- After the sudden drop in tourism, the hotel management decided to put half the staff on furlough for three months.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.