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.
At its depths, a third of the city’s workforce was unemployed. David Remnick, The New Yorker, 10 Feb. 2025 According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, about 60 percent are unemployed a year after release. Malaika Jabali, Essence, 9 Feb. 2025 In part because of declining U.S. birth rates, there are 8 million job openings in America but only 6.8 million unemployed workers, according to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 30 Jan. 2025 In part because of declining U.S. birth rates, there are 8 million job openings in America, but only 6.8 million unemployed workers, according to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Andres Oppenheimer, Miami Herald, 29 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 19 Feb. 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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