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Glite Dictionary
absence without leave

absence without leave

7.3
A person who is away from military duty without permission
  • noun
  • Formal
translation icon : ausencia sin permiso
  • The soldier was charged with absence without leave after failing to report for duty.

Examples

  • Repeated absence without leave can result in disciplinary action within the army.

  • Her record was marred by a single incident of absence without leave during her service.

  • His absence without leave was noted by his superiors.

  • Don't take an absence without leave from your duties!

  • The soldier was charged with absence without leave after failing to report for duty.

  • Repeated absence without leave can result in disciplinary action within the army.

  • Her record was marred by a single incident of absence without leave during her service.

Synonyms

AWOL
vsabsence without leave
  • Jargon
10 8.0

Absent from work or duty without permission

is the formal term rather than an abbreviation used informally
unauthorized absence
vsabsence without leave
  • Formal
1 6.8

Being away from an assigned place or duty without permission

is the standard formal term used for that action
French leave
vsabsence without leave
  • UK
1 8.9

Going away from a place without telling or asking anyone

applies specifically to leaving a duty post without official permission

Antonyms

attendance
101 2.0

Being present at a meeting, class, or event

Surface Forms

absence without leave singular
absences without leave plural

Morphology

absence + without + leave

The meaning 'unauthorized absence from duty' is directly derivable from the constituents: 'absence' (being away) + 'without' (lacking) + 'leave' (authorized absence/permission). Although the phrase is formal/military, its literal compositional logic is clear and cross-linguistically common, so a B1 learner who knows the words should be able to interpret it.

Etymology

Absence without leave comes from the military and literally names being absent (away) without the official leave (permission). That's why it means 'being away from duty without permission'.