layoff

American  

[lay-awf, -of] / ˈleɪˌɔf, -ˌɒf /

noun

• layoffs
  plural

1. the act of dismissing employees, especially temporarily.

2. a period of enforced unemployment or inactivity.

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layoff Cultural  

1. The temporary or permanent removal of a worker from his or her job, usually because of cutbacks in production or corporate reorganization.

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Usage

What’s the difference between layoff and furlough? A layoff is usually a permanent removal from a job. A furlough is a temporary release of a worker from their job, typically with the expectation that they will be asked to return. Both words can also be used as verbs. An organization can lay off employees or furlough them. The adjective forms are laid off and furloughed. The word layoff is typically used in the context of a company permanently letting go workers due to economic reasons (such as not being able to afford to pay them) as opposed to performance reasons (employees let go for poor performance are typically said to have been fired). A furlough typically involves an employer requiring an employee to stop working for a period of time during which they will not get paid—though furloughed workers sometimes keep their benefits, such as health insurance. Furloughs can happen during government shutdowns or when a company does not need certain employees for a certain period of time but expects to need them back after that period ends. Here’s an example of layoff and furlough used correctly in a sentence. Example: A furlough is not ideal, but at least it’s temporary—the company is doing it to avoid layoffs. Want to learn more? Read the full breakdown of the difference between layoff and furlough.

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• layoffs
  plural

Etymology

Origin of layoff

1885–90, noun use of verb phrase lay off

Explanation

When a company informs a group of workers that their employment is terminated, it's called a layoff. In most cases, layoffs are a way for a business to save money. When the word layoff was coined in the 1880s, it meant "rest or relaxation." It evolved to be defined as "periodic respite from work," like a break for seasonal workers, and then "temporary release from employment." Employers began using it as a euphemism for "permanently firing people," a way to make it sound less harsh. Today when someone mentions layoffs, they're not temporary, unless they're specifically described that way.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

layoff layoffs

For employers, announcing a layoff months in advance also carries risks: The most in-demand employees could decide to end the uncertainty by jumping ship.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 4, 2026

Call it the era of the looming layoff.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 4, 2026

I currently work at a company that matches contributions, which is a great benefit, but I’m curious if there are better options, especially for someone always expecting the next layoff and potential career pivots.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 2, 2026

Kaiser Permanente will layoff 147 business and administrative employees across California in November, the health giant said.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 29, 2026

But after the long international layoff, and playing every game under grueling conditions, he likely considered his second-place showing somewhat acceptable.

From "Endgame" by Frank Brady

"Nothing in the settlement limits layoffs," attorney Gilliam added.

From BBC ● Oct. 6, 2026

That’s still better than ambushing workers all at once with mass layoffs, some executives say.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 4, 2026

“One, it was exhausting,” said Sweeney, who resigned one day after the layoffs.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 4, 2026

In Hollywood, a slowdown in film production has prompted Disney, Sony, Amazon and other studios to announce layoffs, with the industry shedding roughly 57,000 jobs in four years.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 2, 2026

Most important, it allowed them to get to work on a moment’s notice, should they suddenly be called up from one of the frequent temporary layoffs.

From "A Few Red Drops: The Chicago Race Riot of 1919" by Claire Hartfield

Related Words

• cutback
• unemployment