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.
Schools Free school meals in schools will be expanded to more than 500,000 children whose parents receive a welfare payment known as Universal Credit, which is available to those who are on a low income, unemployed or unable to work. Holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 11 June 2025 And in another sign the job market has cooled from the hiring boom of 2021-2023, the Labor Department reported one job every unemployed person. Boston Herald Wire Services, Boston Herald, 5 June 2025 At prosecutors’ request, the judge also ordered Killian to wear an electric ankle monitor, surrender his passport and to obey a curfew of 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. if unemployed. Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 4 June 2025 But this is making lemonade out of lemons: the provider role is so deeply intertwined with masculinity that unemployed men are more likely to be impotent. Joan C. Williams june 13, Literary Hub, 13 June 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 4 Jul. 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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