ENGLISH
REFERENCE

unemployed

n. uncountable
B1 Intermediate Oxford US //ˌənɛmˈpɫɔɪd// UK //ʌnɛmplˈɔɪd// un·em·ployed General-service

n. people who do not have a job but are looking for work. It is usually used with 'the' to talk about this group of people as a whole.

n. people who are currently without paid work but are available for and seeking employment. Typically functions as a collective noun when preceded by the definite article.


SIMPLE

The government is trying to help the unemployed find work.

CONTEXTUAL

New training programs were launched last month to provide the unemployed with modern digital skills.

COMPLEX

Economists argue that while the total number of the unemployed has decreased, many individuals have simply stopped looking for work and are no longer counted in official statistics.

Antonyms
Origin

From un- + employed.

Usage

Functions as a collective plural noun; it always takes the definite article 'the' and a plural verb.

Pitfall

He is an unemployed.He is unemployed.The word is an adjective when describing one person; it only functions as a noun when referring to the entire group as 'the unemployed'.

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