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

• 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

Those who are still working but not being paid are not considered unemployed and do not qualify for unemployment benefits, EDD said. —David Lightman, Sacbee.com, 6 Oct. 2025

The group’s share of the total unemployed population spiked to its highest percentage in decades. —Alex Harring, CNBC, 3 Oct. 2025

Layoff activity thankfully doesn’t seem to be accelerating, but those who are unemployed are having a really hard time getting back into the workforce. —Alicia Wallace, CNN Money, 3 Oct. 2025

Keita notes the majority of Africa's population is under 35 years old and millions are unemployed and frustrated with the status quo. —Emmanuel Akinwotu, NPR, 2 Oct. 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