underemployment

noun

un·​der·​em·​ploy·​ment ˌən-dər-im-ˈplȯi-mənt How to pronounce underemployment (audio)
1
: the condition in which people in a labor force are employed at less than full-time or regular jobs or at jobs inadequate with respect to their training or economic needs
2
: the condition of being underemployed

Examples of underemployment in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Eviction filings also cause underemployment, wage loss, and adverse impacts on mental and physical health, especially for children. Morenike Fajana, New York Daily News, 6 Feb. 2024 If those millions of working-age women and men could be lifted from underemployment in the informal sector to well-paying jobs, the gains in overall prosperity would far outweigh the burden of supporting the old and the very young. Gurcharan Das, Foreign Affairs, 11 Apr. 2019 Xenophobia and a lack of recognition of Venezuelans’ credentials have led to underemployment of professionals, and many lack access to social services such as health insurance. Cameron Pugh, The Christian Science Monitor, 2 May 2024 Changing your job for one that gives you sufficient challenge and fulfillment is yet another way to fix the underemployment issue. Caroline Ceniza-Levine, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2024 See all Example Sentences for underemployment 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'underemployment.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1909, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of underemployment was in 1909

Dictionary Entries Near underemployment

Cite this Entry

“Underemployment.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/underemployment. Accessed 1 Jul. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on underemployment

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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