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Added 10 October 2026

furlough

/ˈfɜː.ləʊ/ noun

noun Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about furlough at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

A leave of absence or vacation. Especially one granted to a member of the armed forces, or to a prisoner. Especially one granted to a missionary.
Especially one granted to a member of the armed forces, or to a prisoner.
Especially one granted to a missionary.

verb

To grant a furlough to (someone).
To have (an employee) not work in order to reduce costs; to send (someone) on furlough.

Origin

From Dutch verlof (“furlough”), probably from Middle Low German verlōf (“furlough, permission”) (possibly via German Verlaub), from the verb verlōven (“to allow”), from Old Saxon far- + lōvian (“to trust, believe”). From Middle Low German also German Verlaub, Danish forlov. Doublet of leave.

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

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