Unemployment

/ˌʌnɪmˈplɔɪmənt/

Meaning & Definition

noun

The state of being unemployed; the number of people who are able to work but do not have a job.

The government is trying to reduce unemployment by creating new job opportunities.

A situation in which a person who is actively seeking employment is unable to find work.

High unemployment rates can lead to increased social unrest.

The period of time during which a person is without a job.

After months of unemployment, she finally received a job offer.

The economic condition characterized by a high level of joblessness.

The country is facing severe unemployment due to the recent recession.

The word 'unemployment' combines the prefix 'un-' meaning 'not' with 'employment', which derives from the Latin 'implicare' meaning 'to involve'.

unemployment rate:

The percentage of the labor force that is unemployed.

long-term unemployment:

A situation where individuals remain unemployed for an extended period, typically longer than 27 weeks.

youth unemployment:

Unemployment specifically affecting individuals in their late teens and early twenties.

On the bench

After losing his job, he's been on the bench, trying to find new opportunities.

Job hunting

She's been job hunting for months since her last position ended.