unemployed

adjective

un·​em·​ployed ˌən-im-ˈplȯid How to pronounce unemployed (audio)
: 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

Examples of unemployed in a Sentence

the plant closings left a significant portion of the town's population unemployed
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Now, at 20, Margo is alone with an infant, unemployed, and on the verge of eviction. Denise Petski, Deadline, 21 Mar. 2025 The report concluded that there are 119,000 young people in Connecticut who have either dropped out of school or are in danger of dropping out of school, and who are, for those ages 18 to 26, unemployed and in many cases, currently unemployable. Larry Covino, Hartford Courant, 20 Mar. 2025 Most voiced deep uncertainty over how far the cutting will go, but some fear the Trump administration’s actions will flood the area with more unemployed workers than available jobs. Jonathan Shorman and, Kansas City Star, 19 Mar. 2025 This is significant investment in support for people who are long term unemployed and excluded from the labor market, more than the initial investment in New Deal for Disabled People from the last Labour government. Nancy Doyle, Forbes, 18 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for unemployed

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of unemployed was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Unemployed.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unemployed. Accessed 2 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

unemployed

adjective
un·​em·​ployed ˌən-im-ˈplȯid How to pronounce unemployed (audio)
1
: not being used
unemployed tools
2
: not employed : having no job
unemployed workers
unemployed noun

More from Merriam-Webster on unemployed

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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