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.
Thirty years later in present-day San Francisco, Blake is an unemployed writer and full-time caregiver, married to workaholic journalist Charlotte (Julia Garner). Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune, 15 Jan. 2025 The Reel Inn is now running its own GoFundMe for unemployed staff. Cindy Carcamo, Los Angeles Times, 15 Jan. 2025 The roundtrip fare from his home to the clinic is $32; Ito, a full-time university student, is unemployed and has few work opportunities in his village. Adam Williams, NPR, 11 Jan. 2025 Coupled with increasing continuing claims and decreasing initial claims, this suggests unemployed Americans are struggling to find jobs. Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 10 Jan. 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

Dictionary Entries Near unemployed

Cite this Entry

“Unemployed.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unemployed. Accessed 24 Jan. 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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