2 syllables: fur, lough. Stress on fur.
FUR-loh
/ˈfɝloʊ/
furlough is pronounced FUR-loh (/ˈfɝloʊ/). It has two syllables (fur-lough), with the stress on "fur". Furlough is a temporary, unpaid leave from work granted by an employer, typically for a specified period due to business conditions. It allows the employee to remain officially employed while not performing duties. The term can also apply to military or governmental leave. Usage varies by country and organization, but the core idea is a short, sanctioned pause in work obligations.
Furlough is a temporary, unpaid leave from work granted by an employer, typically for a specified period due to business conditions. It allows the employee to remain officially employed while not performing duties. The term can also apply to military or governmental leave. Usage varies by country and organization, but the core idea is a short, sanctioned pause in work obligations.
"The company announced a two-week furlough to weather the downturn in demand."
"During the recession, staff took furloughs instead of layoffs."
"The employee returned after the furlough ended, with benefits paused only for that period."
Furlough is pronounced ˈfɜːrloʊ in US English, with stress on the first syllable. In UK and AU variants, it’s /ˈfɜːləʊ/ and /ˈfəːləʊ/ respectively. The first syllable rhymes with “fur” and the second with “low.” Tip: keep the vowel broad in the first syllable and seal the /l/ clearly before the /oʊ/ or /əʊ/ in the final. Audio references from Pronounce, Forvo, and major dictionaries can help illustrate this.”,
Common errors include confusing the vowel in the first syllable with a short /ɜ/ as in 'fur' versus a broader /ɜː/ like 'further', and mispronouncing the second syllable as /loʊ/ vs /ləʊ/ or /loʊ/. Another frequent slip is reducing the /r/ into a weak rhotic sound in non-rhotic varieties. Correct by holding a steady central or back unrounded vowel in the first syllable and ensuring a clear, toned /l/ before the final /oʊ/ or /əʊ/.”,
In US English, the stressed vowel in the first syllable is /ɜː/, with rhotic r influence in most dialects. The second syllable ends with /loʊ/. UK English often uses /ˈfɜːləʊ/ with non-rhotic tendencies in some regions, giving a softer /əʊ/ ending. Australian English tends toward /ˈfəːləʊ/ or /ˈfɜːləʊ/ with a longer, tighter vowel in the first syllable and a clear /ləʊ/ at the end. Across all, the key is consistent /l/ before the final vowel and the final diphthong /oʊ/ or /əʊ/.” ,
The difficulty stems from the combination of a broad mid-back vowel in the first syllable and a rapid, lightly released /l/ before a rising diphthong in the second syllable. The transition from /ɜː/ to /lə/ can feel abrupt, and the unstressed second vowel can be elided in fast speech. Practicing with slow drills helps you anchor the sequence: /ˈɜːr/ → /ləʊ/. Pay attention to keeping the /l/ distinct and not swallowing the /ə/.”,
Is there a silent letter or subtle variation in 'furlough'? No letters in 'furlough' are silent. The challenge lies in the vowel quality and rhotics across accents, not in silent consonants. The main focus is on pronouncing the long/tense /ɜː/ in the first syllable and the rounded onset of the second syllable's /ləʊ/. Keeping the initial syllable tense and the final diphthong clearly heard differentiates it from similar words like 'furl' or 'furl'.
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Furlough derives from the Dutch verb verlof meaning ‘leave granted,’ with verlof itself from voor- ‘for’ + lof ‘leave’ historically. The term entered English maritime usage in the 17th century, where it referred to a ship’s official permission to come ashore or take a temporary absence from duty. Early variants include furlage and furlough in 18th-century records, often tied to military or naval contexts. In the 19th and 20th centuries, furlough broadened to civilian labor, denoting a sanctioned pause in work rather than a formal discharge. In contemporary usage, furlough frequently connotes a temporary period away from work with continued employment status, often due to economic constraints, administrative restructuring, or seasonal cycles. The sense of “permission to leave briefly” has persisted, with modern policies sometimes differentiating between mandatory furloughs and voluntary leaves. The word’s spelling has shifted variably in older texts, but today furlough remains stable in most English varieties. First known use citations often appear in naval logs and military orders from the 1700s onward, reinforcing its long association with official leave. Historically, the concept parallels similar terms in other languages that embed the idea of sanctioned absence without termination. The evolution reflects changing labor relations and organizational strategies to balance workforce management with ongoing employment commitments.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "furlough" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "furlough" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "furlough"
-ull sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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