unemployed

adjective

un·​em·​ployed ˌən-im-ˈplȯid How to pronounce unemployed (audio)
Synonyms of unemployednext
: 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.
There was a monthly increase of 7,000 unemployed workers, and a jump of 120,000 over the last 12 months. Jim Turner, Sun Sentinel, 1 May 2026 According to court records, Hitchcock was unemployed and had moved into his brother's Orlando home several weeks before the July 31, 1976, killing of Cynthia Driggers, the stepdaughter of Hitchcock's brother. Cbs Miami Team, CBS News, 30 Apr. 2026 Meanwhile, Richardson said that since resigning as Oregon State’s GM last fall, Bjornstad has remained unemployed, biding his time developing an app for college athletic departments. Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 29 Apr. 2026 The exemption is crucial for Crystal Schroer, 30, who has been on Medicaid since 2022 and unemployed since 2024. Phil Galewitz, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2026 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 3 May. 2026.

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

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