Awols

Part of speech: noun, verb

Definitions

1. Referring to members who have deserted their duty or post without permission, particularly in military contexts; describing unauthorized absence from assigned responsibilities; indicating failure to report for expected tasks or obligations
2. Denoting individuals absent without official leave from their positions, especially in armed forces; characterizing unapproved or illegal absence from work or duty; highlighting neglect in fulfilling professional or required attendance
3. Pertaining to people who have left their station without formal consent, often used regarding soldiers; signifying absence without authorization in a work or service setting; pointing to neglecting assigned duties by not showing up as scheduled

Etymology: "Awols" is the plural of "awol," so the real story belongs to the base word. "AWOL" is an initialism for "absent without leave," a military phrase in which "leave" means official permission to be away from one's post. The letters were spelled out in American military usage and the abbreviation became standard in everyday speech, where it now also covers anyone who vanishes from a job, school, or assigned duty without notice. Because "AWOL" is pronounced as a word ("AY-wall"), it is often used as a noun, verb, and adjective, and its plural is formed by adding an "s" to the letters. The plural "awols" therefore refers to several people who have gone absent without permission.

Synonyms: absentees, deserters, absconds

Antonyms: present, attendees, returnees