severance

Everyday

1. (formal) Money paid to a worker when their job ends because the company no longer needs them; also called severance pay or redundancy pay. tree →
2. (formal) Ending a connection or relationship: the severance of ties. tree →
3. Cutting something off. tree →

In the lessons

An adult, formal word from work and news: «Workers who were let go received severance pay». In formal voice it softens the harsh fact of losing a job. In maths: «Severance is 2 weeks' pay for each year worked» — multiply. Phrases: «severance pay», «severance package», «severance of ties».

Examples

• When the factory closed, workers got severance pay. tree →
• Her severance package was three months' pay. tree →
• Severance is 1 week's pay for every year worked, so 6 years gives 6 weeks. tree →
• The severance of the two countries' ties surprised many. tree →
• Dad got a small severance when he was let go. tree →
• The severance of the rope sent the boat drifting. tree →

Note

Uncountable. Verb: sever (to cut off). Formal word; related euphemisms for losing a job: «let go», «made redundant», «laid off».