unemployed

adjective

un·​em·​ployed ˌən-im-ˈplȯid How to pronounce unemployed (audio)
: 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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The suspect, who CBS News reports is an unemployed software engineer, has been charged with second-degree murder, according to online court records reviewed by PEOPLE. Samira Asma-Sadeque, PEOPLE, 27 Oct. 2025 Honestly, out of the 300 members of Producers United, there’s a large percentage of people unemployed. Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 23 Oct. 2025 The report also notes European Social Surveys – tracking public attitudes, beliefs and behavior – which show that there is a 25% chance unemployed people at the lowest levels of jobless benefits will vote for the far right versus 15% for those who are employed. Ana Nicolaci Da Costa, CNN Money, 22 Oct. 2025 Their speakers are unemployed or precariously employed and geographically displaced, subject either to forced immobility or migration. Literary Hub, 20 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for unemployed

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of unemployed was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Unemployed.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unemployed. Accessed 28 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

unemployed

adjective
un·​em·​ployed ˌən-im-ˈplȯid How to pronounce unemployed (audio)
1
: not being used
unemployed tools
2
: not employed : having no job
unemployed workers
unemployed noun

More from Merriam-Webster on unemployed

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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