Word
layover
Phoneticslay·over
US/ˈɫeɪˌoʊvɝ/
UK/lˈeɪəʊvɐ/
Countable noun
Definition
n. a short wait between two flights on the same trip. You stay at the airport until your next plane leaves.
n. a scheduled stop or waiting period between connecting flights or legs of a long journey.
Examples
“My layover in Chicago lasts two hours.”
“We have a four-hour layover in Dubai, so we plan to eat and rest before the next flight.”
“After a sleepless overnight layover in Frankfurt, she boarded the final leg to Tokyo feeling exhausted but relieved the journey was almost over.”
Examples
simple
“My layover in Chicago lasts two hours.”
contextual
“We have a four-hour layover in Dubai, so we plan to eat and rest before the next flight.”
complex
“After a sleepless overnight layover in Frankfurt, she boarded the final leg to Tokyo feeling exhausted but relieved the journey was almost over.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “layover” in context.
Verb
01. extend layover
“She extended her layover to spend a day sightseeing in London.”
verb + noun
02. have layover
“We have a three-hour layover in Doha before our next flight.”
verb + noun
03. layover lasts
“Our layover lasts four hours, so let's find a quiet gate.”
noun + verb
04. sleep during layover
“He slept during the layover with his bag as a pillow.”
verb + prep + noun
Adjective
05. long layover
“We had a long layover, so we walked around the airport and read.”
adj + noun
06. overnight layover
“We have an overnight layover, so the airline gave us a hotel.”
adj + noun
07. short layover
“We have a short layover, so we must hurry to the next gate.”
adj + noun
Noun
08. hours of layover
“After six hours of layover, the kids were tired and bored.”
noun + prep + noun
09. layover city
“Toronto is just our layover city; we fly to Vancouver next.”
noun + noun
10. layover hotel
“The airline gave us a free layover hotel for the night.”
noun + noun
11. have a long layover
“We have a long layover in Dubai, so bring a book.”
12. kill time during a layover
“We played cards to kill time during a layover.”
Real-World Examples
“If you need to take a connecting flight, a short layover can be appealing, especially when it cuts down your overall travel time or comes with a cheaper fare.” “And layovers are actually ideal for avoiding travel fatigue on long-haul routes, says Mollenkamp.” “Layover times can vary greatly, typically ranging from about 30 minutes to several hours.” Etymology
From lay + over.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
PHRASAL VERB
PREPOSITION
Related words
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B1 · Intermediate
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/layover