awols - Meaning, Image, Examples & Etymology - Learn English Visually

Post

awols

|a-wol|

🇺🇸

/ˈeɪwəl/

🇬🇧

/ˈeɪwɒl/

(awol)

absent without permission

Base Form	Plural	3rd Person Sing.	Past	Past Participle	Present Participle
awol	awols	awols	went AWOL (more common) / awolled (rare)	gone AWOL (more common) / awolled (rare)	awoling (rare)

Etymology

Etymology Information

'awol' originates from U.S. military English, specifically the abbreviation of the phrase 'Absent Without Leave'.

Historical Evolution

'Absent without leave' (a full phrase) was shortened in military records and speech to the acronym 'AWOL', first recorded in early 20th century U.S. military usage (circa 1915).

Meaning Changes

Initially, it referred strictly to a soldier's unauthorized absence; over time it broadened colloquially to describe anyone or anything that disappears or stops participating without notice.

Meanings by Part of Speech

Noun 1

an instance of being absent without official permission, especially from military duty; an absent person (military context).

The roll call showed several awols after the weekend exercise.

Synonyms

absence without leavedesertion (context-dependent)missing

Antonyms

present on dutyaccounted for

Verb 1

to be absent without leave; to leave or be absent from duty without permission.

When tensions rose, one soldier awols rather than face court-martial.

Synonyms