Did you know?

Click any word in a definition or example to find the entry for that word

Time off from work

absenteeism

noun

the habit of not being at school or work when you should be, usually without a good reason

break

noun

a rest from the work or job that you usually do

break

noun

a period of time when most people do not go to work

career gapper

noun

someone who takes a long break from their job in order to travel or do a different job, especially charity work in another country

coffee break

noun

a short period of time when you stop working to eat or drink something

compassionate leave

noun

time away from work that you are allowed to have because someone in your family is sick or has died

comp time

noun

time off work that is given to you instead of money because you have worked extra hours

down time

noun

time when you can relax and not work

educational leave

noun

time away from work that your employer gives you so that you can study

furlough

noun

a period of time during which someone is allowed to be away from a job or the military

half-day

noun

a day when you work or go to school only in the morning or the afternoon

idle time

noun

a period during which a piece of equipment or someone working for an organization is not doing anything

layoff

noun

a period of time when you are not working or performing an activity such as a sport, usually because you are sick or injured

leave

noun

a period of time away from your job, school, or the military

leave of absence

noun

a period of time that you officially spend away from a job, school, or the military

lunch break

noun

the period of time during which you stop work to have lunch and relax

lunch hour

noun

a lunch break that continues for about an hour

maternity leave

noun

time before and after the birth of a baby when a woman is allowed to be away from her job

me time

noun

time that you spend relaxing and doing things that you enjoy rather than time spent doing things for other people

parental leave

noun

a period of time away from work that is allowed to a parent to care for a baby or child

paternity leave

noun

a period of time when a father is allowed to be away from work after the birth of his child

R and R

noun

a period of time when you do not work and can relax and have a vacation

recess

noun

a short time between periods of work in an official organization, especially a court or parliament

sabbatical

noun

a period away from work when people such as college or university teachers can study, rest, or travel

shore leave

noun

a period of time when sailors on a ship are allowed to go on land and do not have to work

sick leave

noun

a period of time during which you do not work because you are sick

spare time

noun

time when you do not have to work or study and when you can do what you like

stay off

to not go to work or school because you are sick

take off

to have a particular amount of time away from work

tea break

noun

a coffee break

time off

noun

time when you are not at work or in school

time out

noun

a period of time when you stop what you usually do and you rest or do something else instead

sick leave

a period of time away from a job because you are sick

maternity/paternity/parental leave

a period of time away from a job because you or your partner has just had a baby

cyberloafing

using the Internet where you work, during working hours, for activities which are not work-related

BuzzWord Article

Word of the Day

wane

getting smaller, weaker, or less important

Open Dictionary

show a bit of ankle

… to reveal a small part of your intentions in order to attract support, without actually committing yourself to doing anything

add a word

Blog

A must for anyone with an interest in the changing face of language. The Macmillan Dictionary blog explores English as it is spoken around the world today.

global English and language change from our blog