layover
LAY-oh-ver
/ˈleɪˌoʊvər/
A temporary stop on a journey, especially between flights.
Usually implies a relatively short break (a few hours) where the traveler remains at or near the airport or station before continuing.
The story behind the word. An American English compound word arising in the mid-19th century from the phrasal verb 'lay over', which meant to rest or stop for a period, originally used by railway travelers and cattle drivers.
Word relationships
- stopover: A stopover is typically longer than a layover, often lasting 24 hours or more, allowing the traveler to leave the airport and stay overnight in a hotel.
- pause: A pause is a general break in activity, while a layover is a specific logistical stop during a journey.
- direct flight: A direct flight goes straight to the destination without any stops or layovers.
Commonly confused with
- stopover: A layover is a brief connection (usually under 24 hours), while a stopover is a deliberate, longer break in a journey.
Word family
- lay over (verb): To make a stop during a journey.
Collocations
- short layover
- long layover
- layover flight
- during the layover
Example sentences
- "I have a six-hour layover in Chicago, which gives me just enough time to grab some deep-dish pizza." A traveler describing their flight schedule
- "The long layover in Frankfurt allowed the team to catch up on emails and prepare for the presentation." A business trip report
Memory hook
Think of 'laying over' a bench in the airport terminal because you are too tired during your wait. Lay over the seats during a layover.
When not to use
Do not use for a long, planned vacation stay or the final destination of a trip.
Fun facts
- Some airlines offer free extended layovers (stopovers) in their hub cities to encourage tourism, such as Icelandair in Reykjavik.
Explore more words
sojourn, take a break, excursion, waypoint, interlude, sightseeing
Also appears in
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