Personal Leave: Definition, Examples & Usage

Meaning 1：leave for personal reasons (Personal leave)

Personal leave 🔊

/ˈpɜːrsənəl liːv/

Time off from work that you take for personal reasons, not for sickness or scheduled vacation.

Employee submitting personal leave request form on computer

leave for personal reasons 🔊

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/liːv fɔːr ˈpɜːrsənəl ˈriːzənz/

A type of paid or unpaid time off from work that an employee takes to attend to private matters, such as family events, appointments, or personal errands.

📁 Category：Social Roles 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

Compound of 'personal' (from Latin persona) and 'leave' (Old English lēaf, permission).

💡 Mnemonic

Think: 'Personal leave = time off for YOU, not for illness or vacation.'

📖 Example

She decided to take personal leave on Friday to attend her daughter's school play. 🔊 She decided to take personal leave on Friday to attend her daughter's school play.

🔗 Collocations

take personal leave – To use personal leave days

request personal leave – To formally ask for time off for personal reasons

personal leave policy – The company's rules regarding personal time off

🔄 Synonyms

personal day (n.) – A day off from work for personal reasons

bereavement leave (n.) – Time off after a family member's death

emergency leave (n.) – Time off for urgent personal matters

🚫 Antonyms

sick leave (n.) – Time off due to illness

vacation leave (n.) – Time off for rest and travel

📖 Cultural Story

Personal leave emerged in modern corporate policy to provide employees flexibility for private matters, distinct from vacation or sick leave. It reflects the shift towards respecting work-life balance.