layoff

1 of 2

noun

lay·​off ˈlā-ˌȯf 

1

: a period of inactivity or idleness

2

: the act of laying off an employee or a workforce

also : shutdown

lay off

2 of 2

verb

laid off; laying off; lays off

transitive verb

1

: to mark or measure off

2

: to cease to employ (a worker) often temporarily

3

of a bookie : to place all or part of (an accepted bet) with another bookie to reduce the risk

4

a

: to leave undisturbed

b

: avoid, quit

was advised to lay off smoking and alcohol

c

: to refrain from swinging at (a pitch)

intransitive verb

1

: to stop doing or taking something

2

: to leave one alone

wish you'd just lay off

Synonyms

Noun

• dismissal
• firing
• furlough

Verb

• stop
• cease
• end
• halt
• cut off
• shut off
• quit
• cut out
• leave off
• break off

Examples of layoff in a Sentence

Noun

The company announced the layoff of several hundred employees.

More layoffs are expected at the factory later this year.

The band finally has a new album after a three year layoff.

a layoff of three years

Verb

you need to lay off eating those jelly doughnuts, or you'll end up looking like one

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Citing economic pressures, the museum reduced its staff earlier this year, with a total of eight positions affected either by layoffs or a reduction in pay and benefits. —Jim Higgins, jsonline.com, 5 Sep. 2025

While unemployment remains stable for now, experts warn the equilibrium is fragile, and even a modest rise in layoffs could have wider ripple effects throughout the economy. —Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 5 Sep. 2025

Verb

In April, Hammacher Schlemmer laid off nearly a dozen employees, according to John Gagliardi, the company’s creative manager of 18 years, who was let go during the downsizing. —Robert Channick, Chicago Tribune, 29 Aug. 2025

Lore and Rodriguez recently laid off dozens of business-side employees, and several high-profile executives left for jobs in other cities and leagues. —Jon Krawczynski, New York Times, 27 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1889, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1748, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Rhymes for layoff

• ashraf
• checkoff
• cutoff
• falloff
• handoff
• kickoff
• liftoff
• markoff
• markov
• payoff
• playoff
• runoff

Kids Definition

layoff

1 of 2 noun

lay·​off ˈlā-ˌȯf 

1

: the act of laying off an employee or a work force

2

: a period during which there is no activity

lay off

2 of 2 verb

(ˈ)lā-ˈȯf

1

: to mark or measure off

2

: to stop employing (a person) often temporarily

lay off workers

3

: to stop doing or taking something

lay off of that stuff