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

The report noted that a key reason why some countries face labor shortages despite having ample numbers of unemployed or underemployed workers is a mismatch between jobs and skills and education. —Elaine Kurtenbach, Fortune Asia, 28 May 2024

All are high school graduates, and all are unemployed. —Lynsey Chutel Joao Silva, New York Times, 28 May 2024

The number of unemployed workers in the state has increased by 164,000 over the last 12 months, according to California’s Employment Development Department. —Don Lee, Los Angeles Times, 24 May 2024

There are 500,000 fewer employed, and 200,000 more unemployed. —Dan Walters, The Mercury News, 21 May 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