# layoff

> English word · Noun · frequency rank #37,538

## Definitions
1. A dismissal of employees from their jobs because of tightened budgetary constraints or work shortage (not due to poor performance or misconduct).
2. A period of time when someone is unavailable for work.
3. A short pass that has been rolled in front of another player for them to kick.
4. A bet that is laid off, i.e. placed with another bookmaker in order to reduce risk.

## Etymology
Deverbal from lay off.

## Easily confused with
- **layout** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/layoff-vs-layout)
- **leadoff** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/layoff-vs-leadoff)

## Common misspellings (7)
`alyoff`, `laoyff`, `layfof`, `layof`, `layyoff`, `llayoff`, `lyaoff`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/layoff