Unemployment
un-em-PLOY-ment
/ˌʌnɪmˈplɔɪmənt/
The state of being jobless, especially involuntarily, and actively seeking work.
Unemployment refers specifically to those who are able to work, willing to work, and actively looking for work but cannot find a job. It does not include those who are retired, students, or not seeking employment.
The story behind the word. The word 'unemployment' is a relatively modern compound, formed from the prefix 'un-' (not), 'employ' (from Old French 'emploier,' meaning 'to use, apply'), and the suffix '-ment' (resulting state). While the concept of joblessness is ancient, the systematic measurement and economic study of 'unemployment' as a social and economic indicator gained prominence in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Word relationships
- joblessness: A more direct and less formal synonym.
- redundancy: Refers to being dismissed from a job because it is no longer needed, often due to economic reasons.
- employment: The state of having a job.
- full employment: An economic situation where all available labor resources are being used efficiently.
Commonly confused with
- Underemployment: Underemployment means working fewer hours than desired or in a job that doesn't fully utilize one's skills, while still being employed.
Word family
- unemployed (adjective): without a job but actively seeking one
Collocations
- high unemployment
- low unemployment
- unemployment rate
- structural unemployment
- cyclical unemployment
- frictional unemployment
Example sentences
- "High unemployment rates can lead to social unrest and increased poverty." Discussing social issues.
- "The latest figures show a slight decrease in the national unemployment rate, a positive sign for the economy." A government report.
Memory hook
Think of 'un-employed' – not having a job. No Job
When not to use
Do not use 'unemployment' to describe someone who is voluntarily not working (e.g., a stay-at-home parent, a retiree) or someone who has given up looking for work (discouraged worker, which is a related but distinct concept).
Fun facts
- There are different types of unemployment, including frictional (between jobs), structural (mismatch of skills), and cyclical (due to economic downturns).
- The 'natural rate of unemployment' is the lowest rate an economy can sustain without causing inflation, typically around 4-5%.
Related words
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