AWOL

or awol, A.W.O.L., a.w.o.l.

[ pronounced as initials or ey-wawl, ey-wol ]

adjective

1. away from military duties without permission, but without the intention of deserting.

noun

1. a soldier or other military person who is absent from duty without leave.

AWOL

/ ˈeɪwɒl /

adjective

1. military absent without leave; absent from one's post or duty without official permission but without intending to desert

Word History and Origins

Origin of AWOL¹

First recorded in 1915–20; A(bsent) W(ith)o(ut) L(eave)

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. go AWOL,
   1. to depart from military duty without leave.
   2. to absent oneself without explanation.

More idioms and phrases containing AWOL

see absent without leave .

Example Sentences

The school system declared them AWOL, began docking their pay and locked them out of their virtual classrooms.

From Washington Post

It centers on Kanan Jarrus (voiced by Freddie Prinze Jr.), a wisecracking AWOL Jedi and leader of the Ghost crew.

From The Daily Beast

They went AWOL all around the world—from the waters around Antarctica to just off a Japanese Island—for a host of reasons.

From The Daily Beast

But elected Republicans seem AWOL in the fight to take back their party.

From The Daily Beast

During a moment of crisis, Mohammed Morsi was AWOL, sending the wrong signal to Americans and Egyptians alike.

From The Daily Beast

Pauly D takes one for the team and entertains the grenade to The Situation's girl of the moment…until he goes AWOL.

From The Daily Beast

They were easy enough to trace, and the kids gave themselves away by all eight of them being awol from their one o'clock classes.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• breakout
• departure
• desertion
• disappearance
• flight
• freedom
• liberation
• outbreak
• rescue
• withdrawal