How to pronounce furlough
Say it like FUR-loh. Furlough has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (FUR).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce furlough. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- FUR
- loh
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Furlough pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- FURSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ur" in nurse.
- lohKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "o" in go.
American vs British pronunciation of furlough
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
- The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh".
British respelling: FUR-loh.
What does furlough mean?
- Especially one granted to a member of the armed forces, or to a prisoner.
- Especially one granted to a missionary.
- The documents authorizing such leave.
- To grant a furlough to (someone).
- To have (an employee) not work in order to reduce costs; to send (someone) on furlough.
Where does furlough come from?
From Dutch verlof (“furlough”), probably from Middle Low German verlōf (“furlough, permission”) (possibly via German Verlaub), from the verb verlōven (“to allow”), from Old Saxon far- + lōvian (“to trust, believe”).
Questions about saying furlough
How do you pronounce furlough?
Say FUR-loh. The American pronunciation is /ˈfɝloʊ/. In British English it is /ˈfɜːləʊ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in furlough?
Furlough has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (FUR). Broken into parts: FUR · loh.
Is furlough pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead. The British form is /ˈfɜːləʊ/ (FUR-loh).