# layoff

/ˈɫeɪˌɔf/ (US) · /lˈeɪɒf/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/layoff
Updated: 2026-05-26

## Definition

a period of time when an employee is not working because their company has no work for them. It is usually a temporary situation.

For teachers: a period of time during which an employee is not working, typically due to a lack of available work or economic downturn. Often used in the plural to describe a company-wide reduction in workforce.

## Examples

- The factory workers are on a three-week layoff.
- After the merger, many employees faced a temporary layoff while the new management structure was finalized.
- The seasonal nature of the tourism industry means that many hospitality staff are accustomed to a layoff during the winter months when visitor numbers drop significantly.

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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.