unemployed

adjective

un·​em·​ployed ˌən-im-ˈplȯid 

: not employed:

a

: not being used

unemployed machines

b

: not engaged in a gainful occupation

an unemployed teacher seeking work

15% of the workforce was unemployed.

c

: not invested

unemployed capital

unemployed noun

Synonyms

• jobless

Examples of unemployed in a Sentence

the plant closings left a significant portion of the town's population unemployed

Recent Examples on the Web

Studies indicate that unemployed people experience higher levels of distress, lower life satisfaction and more psychological issues compared to those who are employed. —Jack Kelly, Forbes, 20 Dec. 2024

The number of people who’ve been unemployed for more than 26 weeks rose in November to the highest level in nearly three years. —Bryan Mena, CNN, 18 Dec. 2024

In court papers, Colgan described her occupation as an unemployed behavioral health therapist. —Muri Assunção, New York Daily News, 10 Dec. 2024

However, this is down from a peak of nearly two job openings for every unemployed person two years ago, reflecting a pullback from the hiring surge that followed the pandemic recession. —Mark R. Weaver, Newsweek, 3 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing unemployed

• the unemployed

Kids Definition

unemployed

adjective

un·​em·​ployed ˌən-im-ˈplȯid 

1

: not being used

unemployed tools

2

: not employed : having no job

unemployed workers

unemployed noun