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

In its ruling, the court said that Mr. Kimura, who was unemployed, had tried to kill the prime minister out of a desire to gain public attention. —Martin Fackler, New York Times, 19 Feb. 2025

Now Harmon is unemployed and worried that the language in his termination letter could impact his ability to get another job. —Zac Anderson, USA TODAY, 18 Feb. 2025

An unemployed Gyeom is there, causing the kind of trouble that makes Mu-bee smile. —Kayti Burt, TIME, 14 Feb. 2025

Now, at 20, Margo is alone with an infant, unemployed, and on the verge of eviction. —Denise Petski, Deadline, 11 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing unemployed

• the unemployed

Rhymes for unemployed

• albuminoid
• arytenoid
• cannabinoid
• carotenoid
• epidermoid
• epithelioid
• meteoroid
• paraboloid
• subarachnoid
• underemployed
• adenoid
• alkaloid

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