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

Politics professor at the University of Botswana Zibani Maundeni described it as a “jobless economy”.

From BBC

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

Employers in the US added 254,000 jobs in September, much more than expected, while the jobless rate dipped from 4.2% to 4.1%%, the Labor Department said.

From BBC

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