Meaning & use
went AWOL
Last updated
“went AWOL” is a form of “go AWOL”.
Meanings
phraseintransitivemilitary
Left a military unit without permission and without intending to return.
Grammar: Past tense of 'go AWOL'; it takes no object.
Patterns
- go AWOL from something
- be AWOL
The soldier went AWOL from his base last week.
Two sailors went AWOL and were later found in the city.
He went AWOL after his unit was sent overseas.
phraseintransitiveinformal
Left a place or situation suddenly without telling anyone, especially to avoid a duty.
Grammar: Used informally outside the army; often followed by 'from'.
Patterns
- go AWOL from something
- go AWOL on someone
The intern went AWOL from the meeting and never came back.
She went AWOL from the party without saying goodbye.
Our goalkeeper went AWOL during the second half.
Word forms
| base form | go AWOL |
|---|---|
| third person singular | goes AWOL |
| present participle | going AWOL |
| past participle | gone AWOL |
Common combinations
- go AWOL from
- He went AWOL from the army after basic training.
- be declared AWOL
- The private was declared AWOL after three days.
- go AWOL on someone
- The babysitter went AWOL on us last night.
Synonyms and how they differ
Word family
- AWOL adjective
- Absent without leave; used in the military or informally.
Practice
What does 'went AWOL' mean in this sentence: 'The private went AWOL after the argument with his sergeant'?
Choose one answer.
'Went AWOL' means he left without permission. The other options describe official actions, which don't match the meaning of the phrase.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “went AWOL”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.