Word
jobless
Phoneticsjob·less, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈdʒɑbɫəs/
UK/dʒˈɒbləs/
Definition
adj. not having a job when you want one. It describes people who are looking for work but do not have a position yet.
adj. lacking employment; without a paid job. Often used to describe the status of a specific population or the general state of the economy.
Examples
“Many jobless workers are looking for new opportunities.”
“The government introduced new training programs to help jobless residents return to the workforce.”
“Economists warned that a sudden increase in the jobless rate could lead to a significant decline in consumer spending across the region.”
Examples
simple
“Many jobless workers are looking for new opportunities.”
contextual
“The government introduced new training programs to help jobless residents return to the workforce.”
complex
“Economists warned that a sudden increase in the jobless rate could lead to a significant decline in consumer spending across the region.”
Usage
Often used with the definite article 'the' to refer to unemployed people as a group.
Pitfall
the joblesses
the jobless
When using an adjective as a collective noun for a group of people, it does not take a plural 's'.
Real-World Examples
“Abhijeet Dipke - who began the movement in May after India's Chief Justice likened some jobless young people to "cockroaches" - and other leaders were arrested on arrival in Delhi on Saturday.” “As we reported earlier, an unexpectedly large number of people started looking for work, pushing up the jobless rate.” Etymology
From job + -less.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/jobless