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

What's more, workers who are unemployed for extended periods risk falling into a self-perpetuating cycle, researchers at the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond wrote earlier this year. — Alex Harring, CNBC, 6 Nov. 2026

Nearly 2 million Americans have been unemployed for more than half a year, the data showed, as new job opportunities are scarce in many sectors, especially in entry-level white-collar positions. — Lauren Kaori Gurley, Washington Post, 6 Nov. 2026

Still, the number of job openings now exceeds the number of unemployed, a sharp switch from a year ago when there were more people out of work than available jobs. — Christopher Rugaber, Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 2026

There’s nothing irrational about voters demanding more from a state where a third of the work force is unemployed and ranks highest in the World Bank inequality index. — Tiisetso Motsoeneng, semafor.com, 2 Nov. 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