laid off
Laid off (verb) means Dismissed from a job because the employer no longer has the work or the money for the role, rather than because of anything the worker did wrong. Example: “She was laid off in January when the studio cut a third of its staff.”
How to use laid off
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishLost your job because the company cut the role, not because you did badly.
Standard in American English for what British English calls being made redundant. The base form is lay off; the noun is a layoff.
Watch the spelling: the verb is lay off, the past and passive form is laid off, and the noun for the event is a layoff (one word).
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She was _____ in January when the studio cut a third of its staff.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between being laid off and being fired?
Being laid off means the position was eliminated for business reasons and the decision was not about your performance. Being fired means you were dismissed for cause, such as misconduct or poor results. The distinction matters for references and, in many places, for unemployment benefits.
What is the difference between laid off and furloughed?
A layoff ends the employment relationship. A furlough is a temporary unpaid pause with the expectation that you will return, and staff often keep benefits such as health cover during it.
Is laid off the same as being made redundant?
Broadly yes — redundancy is the British term for the same situation. British redundancy law also carries specific consultation duties and statutory payments that the American term does not imply.
What is the meaning of laid off?
"laid off" (verb) means dismissed from a job because the employer no longer has the work or the money for the role, rather than because of anything the worker did wrong.