Jobless: meaning, definitions and examples

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jobless

 

[ ˈdʒɒbləs ]

Adjective / Noun
Context #1 | Adjective

feeling of

Without a paid job; unemployed.

Synonyms

idle, out of work, unemployed.

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Word Description / Examples
jobless

Used to describe someone who does not have a job, often implying a desire to find one. It is a straightforward term without significant negative connotations.

  • He has been jobless for several months despite his efforts to find work.
  • The jobless rate has increased over the past year.
unemployed

A formal term used to describe someone who is without a job and actively looking for one. Often used in statistics and formal contexts.

  • The government is implementing new programs to help the unemployed.
  • Unemployed individuals are eligible for certain benefits.
out of work

Commonly used to describe someone currently without a job. It is a more conversational and neutral term, suitable for casual conversations.

  • She is out of work but is attending interviews next week.
  • After the company closed, many people found themselves out of work.
idle

Refers to someone not working or being inactive. It can imply laziness or not making an effort to work and often has a negative connotation.

  • He spends his days idle, watching TV and playing video games.
  • The factory has been idle since the shutdown.

Examples of usage

  • She was jobless for several months after being laid off.
  • The jobless rate in the country has been steadily increasing.
Context #2 | Noun

person who is

A person who is unemployed and actively looking for work.

Synonyms

job seeker, unemployed person, workless individual.

Examples of usage

  • The government is providing assistance to the jobless individuals.
  • He joined a support group for the jobless in his community.

Translations

Translations of the word "jobless" in other languages:

🇵🇹 desempregado

🇮🇳 बेरोज़गार (bērozgār)

🇩🇪 arbeitslos

🇮🇩 pengangguran

🇺🇦 безробітний

🇵🇱 bezrobotny

🇯🇵 失業者 (shitsugyōsha)

🇫🇷 chômeur

🇪🇸 desempleado

🇹🇷 işsiz

🇰🇷 실직한 (siljighan)

🇸🇦 عاطل عن العمل (ʿāṭil ʿan al-ʿamal)

🇨🇿 nezaměstnaný

🇸🇰 nezamestnaný

🇨🇳 失业 (shīyè)

🇸🇮 brezposeln

🇮🇸 atvinnulaus

🇰🇿 жұмыссыз (zhūmyssyz)

🇬🇪 უმუშევარი (umushevari)

🇦🇿 işsiz

🇲🇽 desempleado

Etymology

The word 'jobless' originated in the early 19th century, formed by combining 'job' and the suffix '-less', meaning without. It became more commonly used during times of economic downturns when unemployment rates rose. The term highlights the state of not having a paid job and the challenges faced by individuals in such situations.

See also: job, joblessness, jobs.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #21,975, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.