awol
Medium-LowInformal, often used in specific professional contexts (military, workplace).
Definition
Meaning
Absent from duty or a place without official permission (originally a military acronym).
Informally used to describe anyone or anything that is missing, absent without explanation, or not where they should be.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Often implies an unauthorized or unexplained absence that causes problems. Can be used humorously. Not typically used for planned absences like holidays.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
AWOL is understood in both varieties, but its origin is American military slang. In UK military contexts, the equivalent older term is 'Absent Without Leave', but 'AWOL' is widely used colloquially.
Connotations
Both carry the same core connotation of irresponsibility or desertion. In casual UK use, it might be slightly less common than in the US.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in American English due to its origin, but well-established in UK English, especially in media and workplace slang.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] go/goes/went AWOL[Subject] is/are/were AWOLVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “go AWOL”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
"The project manager has gone AWOL, and the deadline is tomorrow."
Academic
Rare. Might be used metaphorically in informal discussions: "That crucial variable seems to have gone AWOL from the dataset."
Everyday
"My keys have gone AWOL again; I can't find them anywhere."
Technical
Primarily in military/legal contexts to describe unauthorized absence.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- He's threatening to awol if they don't grant his leave. (informal, rare as verb)
American English
- Several privates awoled during the training exercise. (informal, rare as verb)
adverb
British English
- He went AWOL from his desk for two hours.
American English
- She's been AWOL since the meeting started.
adjective
British English
- The AWOL soldier was found three days later.
American English
- We have an AWOL intern who hasn't shown up all week.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- My cat is AWOL. I can't find him anywhere.
- Two students went AWOL during the school trip.
- The CEO has gone AWOL amidst the financial scandal, leaving the board to handle the crisis.
- The promised government report on the issue has gone conspicuously AWOL, leading to accusations of a cover-up.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Remember the acronym: **A**bsent **W**ith**O**ut **L**eave. Think of a soldier **A**lmost **W**alking **O**ff **L**eisurely.
Conceptual Metaphor
ABSENCE IS DESERTION / AN ABSENT PERSON IS A DESERTER.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid translating it directly as 'блуждать' (to wander) or 'заблудиться' (to get lost). The core idea is 'самовольная отлучка' or 'отсутствие без разрешения'.
Common Mistakes
- Writing it in all lowercase ('awol') in formal contexts. Using it for excused absences. Pronouncing it as a word /ˈæ.wəl/ instead of sounding out the letters /ˈeɪ.dʌbəl.juː.oʊ.ɛl/ or the common pronunciation /ˈeɪ.wɒl/.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the term 'AWOL' LEAST appropriate?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Traditionally, yes, as it is an acronym. In modern informal use, lowercase 'awol' is increasingly common, but capitals (AWOL) are preferred in formal writing.
Informally, yes (e.g., "He awoled"), but this is less common and considered non-standard. The standard constructions are "go AWOL" or "is AWOL."
It can be, as it implies they are irresponsible or shirking duties. Use cautiously; in a workplace, it's often a serious accusation.
AWOL implies a voluntary, unauthorized absence. MIA (Missing In Action) is a military term for someone lost during combat where the circumstances are unknown, not necessarily due to their own choice.