unemployed
noun
- class of people who are not working, but could work
adjective
- not having a job
Wiktionary
Pronunciation: /ˌʌnɪmˈplɔɪd/
adj
Etymology: Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *né Proto-Indo-European *n̥- Proto-Germanic *un- Proto-West Germanic *un- Old English un- Middle English un- English un- English employed English unemployed From un- + employed.
- Having no job despite being able and willing to work.
“The government announced a new initiative to help the unemployed.”
“The number of unemployed keeps rising steadily.”
- Having no use, not doing work
“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.”
noun
Etymology: Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *né Proto-Indo-European *n̥- Proto-Germanic *un- Proto-West Germanic *un- Old English un- Middle English un- English un- English employed English unemployed From un- + employed.
- The unemployed people of a society or the world, taken collectively.