Sick Leave: Definition, Examples & Usage

Meaning 1：Sick leave (Sick leave)

Sick leave 🔊

/sɪk liːv/

n.phr.

Time off from work or school that you are officially allowed to take because you are ill.

Sick leave 🔊

➕

/sɪk liːv/

n.phr.

A period of absence from work or school granted to an employee or student due to illness, often with continued pay.

📁 Category：Physical & Mental Health 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Old English 'seoc' (sick) and 'lēaf' (permission).

💡 Mnemonic

If you're SICK, you need to LEAVE work! Simple.

📖 Example

I'm not feeling well today, so I'll have to take sick leave and see a doctor. 🔊 I'm not feeling well today, so I'll have to take sick leave and see a doctor.

🔗 Collocations

take sick leave – to request time off due to illness

be on sick leave – to be absent from work due to illness

sick leave policy – the official rules regarding absence due to illness

🔄 Synonyms

medical leave (n.phr.) – Time off from work for health reasons

health leave (n.phr.) – Absence from work due to health issues

illness absence (n.) – The state of being away from work because of illness

🚫 Antonyms

presenteeism (n.) – The practice of working while ill

📖 Cultural Story

Paid sick leave became a standard employee benefit in the 20th century, often mandated by labor laws to prevent financial hardship during illness.