Unemployed: meaning, definitions and examples

Used in a formal or neutral context. Often seen in reports, statistics, and official documents.

• She has been unemployed for over six months
• The government announced new programs to help the unemployed

More informal than 'unemployed', often used in everyday conversations. It can sometimes imply desperation or a difficult situation.

• I’ve been jobless for nearly a year now
• The jobless rate in the city is rising

Informal and conversational. It emphasizes not having a job at the moment and is often used in personal discussions.

• I’ve been out of work since last month
• After the company downsized, many people found themselves out of work

Used to describe a state of not being active or working. Can imply laziness or being unproductive. Often has a negative connotation.

• He has been idle since graduating college, showing no interest in finding a job
• The factory machines were idle during the weekend

Used to describe someone who does not have a job but is actively looking for one.

• John has been unemployed for six months, but he continues to search for new opportunities every day
• The government is implementing new programs to help the unemployed find work

Refers to a person or machinery that is not currently working or being used, often implying a sense of laziness or waste. Generally has a somewhat negative connotation when describing a person.

• The factory machinery is idle during the night shift
• Mark has been idle since he lost his job, spending most of his days lounging at home

Describes something or somewhere that is empty or not being used, such as a building, seat, or room. Rarely used to describe people.

• The house has been unoccupied for several years
• Please take an unoccupied seat in the waiting area

Usually refers to a job position, property, or space that is available but not currently filled or used.

• The company has several vacant positions they are trying to fill
• The hotel had no vacant rooms, so we had to find another place to stay