English · Word Candidate

unemployed

/ˌʌnɪmˈplɔɪd/

Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.

Sense 1

Meaning · English

Having no job despite being able and willing to work.

Adjective

Examples

The government announced a new initiative to help the unemployed.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 2

Meaning · English

Having no use, not doing work

Adjective

Examples

England's attacking impetus was limited to one shot from Lampard that was comfortably collected by keeper Iker Casillas, but for all Spain's domination of the ball his England counterpart Joe Hart was unemployed.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 3

Meaning · English

The unemployed people of a society or the world, taken collectively.

Noun

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Common questions

What does “unemployed” mean?

Having no job despite being able and willing to work.

Is “unemployed” formal or informal?

No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.