Unpaid Leave: Definition, Examples & Usage

Meaning 1：Leave without pay (Unpaid leave)

Unpaid leave 🔊

/ʌnˈpeɪd liːv/

Time off from work where the employee does not receive any salary.

Employee holding unpaid leave form smiling in park with family

Leave without pay 🔊

➕

/liːv wɪˈðaʊt peɪ/

A period of time when an employee is allowed to be away from work but does not receive their usual salary.

📁 Category：Social Economy 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

Un- (not) + paid (past of pay) + leave (permission to be absent); a period off work without salary.

💡 Mnemonic

Think: If you 'leave' your 'pay' behind, you're on unpaid leave.

📖 Example

She decided to take an unpaid leave for three months to travel and learn about different cultures. 🔊 She decided to take an unpaid leave for three months to travel and learn about different cultures.

🔗 Collocations

take unpaid leave – to use the option of being absent from work without pay

request unpaid leave – to formally ask for permission to take time off without salary

grant unpaid leave – to officially allow an employee to take leave without pay

🔄 Synonyms

leave of absence (n.) – A formal permission to be away from work, often unpaid

sabbatical (n.) – A prolonged break from work, sometimes paid or unpaid, for rest or study

time off without pay (n.) – A period away from work with no salary

🚫 Antonyms

paid leave (n.) – Time off from work that is compensated with salary

sick leave (n.) – Paid time off for illness

vacation (n.) – Paid time off for rest or travel

🌱 Derivatives

unpaid (adj.) – Not receiving payment

leave (n.) – Permission to be absent from work or duty

📖 Cultural Story

Unpaid leave is common in many companies as a flexible option for employees needing extended time off for personal reasons, travel, or study, without employer obligation to pay.