underemployment

noun

un·​der·​em·​ploy·​ment ˌən-dər-im-ˈplȯi-mənt 

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

Johnson says underemployment also helps explain why many veterans quit their first civilian job soon after being hired. —Monique John, CBS News, 21 Nov. 2025

These actions are even more important, as the 2025 job market has proven to be particularly challenging for college graduates, with many facing longer job searches, underemployment, or the need to pivot into alternative career paths. —Vimal Kapur, Fortune, 12 Nov. 2025

Jenny struggles with underemployment, loneliness, condescension from the men in her life, the disapproval of her cougar mother and, worst of all for her, her failure to conceive a child. —Barbara Ellis, Denver Post, 21 Sep. 2025

Students must sign up by October 6 to gain crucial skills and combat underemployment. —Cheryl Robinson, Forbes.com, 14 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1909, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for underemployment

• deployment
• employment
• enjoyment
• preemployment
• redeployment
• reemployment
• unemployment