jobless

[ job-lis ]

adjective

1. without a job.
2. noting or pertaining to people without jobs, especially to those who are seeking employment.

noun

, (used with a plural verb)

1. unemployed people collectively, especially those who are seeking a job.

ˈjobless

/ ˈdʒɒblɪs /

adjective

1. 1. unemployed
   2. ( as collective noun; preceded by the )

      the jobless

Derived Forms

• ˈjoblessness, noun

Other Words From

• jobless·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of jobless¹

First recorded in 1800–10; job ¹ + -less

Example Sentences

Long-term claimants on work coaching schemes who remain jobless should face additional conditions after 12 months, rather than 18 currently, he argued.

From BBC

The most recent jobless figure for California was 5.3% in August, although the state has in recent months been keeping pace with the national rate of job growth.

From Los Angeles Times

Summers’ words implied that 5.8 million to 15 million Americans would have to be rendered jobless in order to bring down inflation.

From Los Angeles Times

At one point, Chinese officials coined the term "slow employment" to describe those who were taking time to find a job - a separate category, they said, from the jobless.

From BBC

Since young graduates are more actively looking for work than those who are mid-career, their jobless rate is more prone to fluctuations that can hint at corporate confidence and hiring trends.

From Los Angeles Times