lay-off

A form of layoff — A dismissal of employees from their jobs because of tightened budgetary constraints or work shortage (not due to poor performance or misconduct).

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Meanings

nounlay-off (plural lay-offs)

plural lay-offs

  1. alternativeAlternative spelling of layoff.

    Pogba zipped a pass to Cavani and his lay-off went to the ever-lurking Fernandes. Once more, his return ball to Cavani was instant, and the Uruguayan smacked home for his 11th goal this season.

    2021 April 29, Jamie Jackson, “Edinson Cavani and Bruno Fernandes help Manchester United hit Roma for six”, in The Guardian

Origin

Deverbal from lay off.

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

lay-off. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/lay-off

MLA

“lay-off.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/lay-off. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “lay-off,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/lay-off.

Source: lay-off on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.