unemployed

adjective

un·​em·​ployed ˌən-im-ˈplȯid 

: 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

Synonyms of unemployed

• out of work
• jobless

Examples of unemployed in a Sentence

the plant closings left a significant portion of the town's population unemployed

Recent Examples on the Web

Among those seeking help there Thursday was Katie Saari, who is unemployed because of health issues and struggling to set up interviews to get SNAP benefits amid the shutdown. —Dave Smith, Fortune, 8 Nov. 2025

The Dolphins bid farewell, 18 months ago, to defensive tackle Raekwon Davis, who landed a two-year, $14 million deal with the Colts, but he was sidelined initially by high blood pressure, was cut after one season and remains unemployed. —Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 7 Nov. 2025

This young man has been unemployed for at least two years. —R. Eric Thomas, Mercury News, 6 Nov. 2025

An analysis of the 1900 Census found fewer than 1 in 15 Black adults unemployed. —Equal Justice Initiative, USA Today, 6 Nov. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing unemployed

• the unemployed

Rhymes for unemployed

• albuminoid
• arytenoid
• cannabinoid
• carotenoid
• epidermoid
• epithelioid
• meteoroid
• paraboloid
• subarachnoid
• underemployed
• adenoid
• alkaloid

Kids Definition

unemployed

adjective

un·​em·​ployed ˌən-im-ˈplȯid 

1

: not being used

unemployed tools

2

: not employed : having no job

unemployed workers

unemployed noun