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

As the September 12 Primetime Emmys approach, Hargitay shared insights on her preparations, including a collaboration with the staff of a newly unemployed late-night host. — Matthew Carey, Deadline, 18 Aug. 2026

The survey, counting in people who have been jobless for the past two years and are no longer covered in the official labor force survey, also showed that more than half of the roughly 24 million long-term unemployed are aged 16 to 24. — Anniek Bao,evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 17 Aug. 2026

Primarily a portrait photographer, Lange began photographing unemployed men wandering the streets of San Francisco during the early years of the Great Depression, starkly capturing their desperation. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 17 Aug. 2026

With Papa currently unemployed, the David Benzer Strike Out Fear Foundation created a fundraiser to help with Papa’s medical expenses. — Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 14 Aug. 2026

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