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
Examples of unemployed in a Sentence
the plant closings left a significant portion of the town's population unemployed
Recent Examples on the Web
Meanwhile, Chito’s family home is at urgent risk of bank foreclosure, with his proud mother Mari (Nana Ponceleon) currently unemployed and sibling Chuy (Josh Benitez) deep in med-school studies.
—
Dennis Harvey, Variety, 23 Jan. 2026
His cellphone service had been cut because the 21-year-old unemployed cook could not pay the bill.
—Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Jan. 2026
People living alone, introverts, unemployed workers and those dealing with depression said the app offers peace of mind without requiring constant interaction.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 21 Jan. 2026
The Sand Bar in Tybee Island, Georgia, used to be covered in bills, but the owner removed them all during the pandemic, distributing nearly $4,000 to her newly unemployed staff; The Griffon in Charleston did the same, but has since been re-plastered with cash.
—Skye Sherman, Southern Living, 21 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unemployed
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Dennis Harvey, Variety, 23 Jan. 2026
His cellphone service had been cut because the 21-year-old unemployed cook could not pay the bill.
—Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Jan. 2026
People living alone, introverts, unemployed workers and those dealing with depression said the app offers peace of mind without requiring constant interaction.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 21 Jan. 2026
The Sand Bar in Tybee Island, Georgia, used to be covered in bills, but the owner removed them all during the pandemic, distributing nearly $4,000 to her newly unemployed staff; The Griffon in Charleston did the same, but has since been re-plastered with cash.
—Skye Sherman, Southern Living, 21 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unemployed
Cite this Entry
“Unemployed.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unemployed. Accessed 25 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationKids 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
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