jobless

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "jobless" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who is without a job or employment. Example: "After the company downsized, many employees found themselves jobless and searching for new opportunities."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This is all the more urgent because of the growing risk that for the many who have accumulated long jobless spells, discouragement and loss of human capital make their reintegration more difficult, that is, their unemployment risks becoming structural in nature.

The Guardian - Business

And there were anxious murmurs from the sector earlier this month when Eco-Actif – a community interest company spin-out and sub-contractor providing support for the long-term jobless in south- east London – went into voluntary liquidation, claiming its banks considered the Work Programme too financially risky.

The Guardian

Benefits for the long-term unemployed, which were about to expire for an estimated two million jobless Americans, will be extended for a year.

The Guardian

Africa's economic growth is often described as "jobless" for its failure to create jobs, in particular for the 60% of Africans aged between 15 and 24 who are unemployed and who, a recent report found, have given up on finding work.

The Guardian

The jobless rate fell from 5.5% to 5.4% the lowest since May 2008 – before the financial crisis struck – in a signal that companies are confident about the strength of the US economy.

The Guardian - Business

Among other data pointing to economic recovery is the historically low number of jobless claims, which dropped to 276,000 earlier this week.

The Guardian - Business

The number of long-term unemployed (those jobless for 27 weeks or more) was essentially unchanged at 3.4 million in May.

The Guardian - Business

The jobless father-of-two even boasted to one 14-year-old who threatened suicide unless he left her alone: "Call the cops... they won't trace me".

The Guardian - Tech

The description of the government's budget by Fine Gael, the main opposition party, as "jobless and joyless" will undoubtedly resonate with the unemployed, poorer families reliant on child benefit and lower income workers, of the latter in particular public sector workers.

The Guardian

There is none of that pre-election vitality which was about implementing policies to deliver a surplus and reduce debt, nor is there any strategy to tackle unemployment given the budget forecasts assume the jobless rate will remain at 6% or more through to 2017.

The Guardian

Legal & General reports the highest level of job insecurity, so even those in work are not in a spending mood, let alone the 2.5 million jobless.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "jobless" to describe a state of unemployment, particularly in economic or social contexts. Ensure the meaning is clear and aligns with the overall tone of your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "jobless" in situations where "unemployed" is more appropriate, especially in formal documents or official reports. "Jobless" can sometimes carry a slightly negative connotation, implying a lack of effort or initiative.

Linguistic Context

The term "jobless" functions primarily as an adjective to describe a person or situation lacking employment. It can also serve as a noun, referring to people who are unemployed. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "jobless" is a common adjective and noun used to describe the state of being without employment. According to Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and frequently appears in news, business, and economic contexts. While "unemployed" is often preferred in formal writing, "jobless" offers a slightly less formal alternative. Related terms include "out of work" and "seeking employment", each carrying slightly different nuances. When using "jobless", consider the connotation and context to ensure it accurately reflects the intended message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

out of work

This alternative is a common synonym, directly indicating a lack of employment.

unemployed

This alternative is a formal and direct synonym for "jobless".

without a job

This alternative uses a more descriptive phrase to convey the same meaning.

without work

This alternative expresses the state of lacking work in a more concise manner.

seeking employment

This alternative focuses on the action of looking for work, implying a current lack of a job.

between jobs

This alternative suggests a temporary state of being unemployed.

not working

This alternative is a more general term, simply stating the absence of work.

between engagements

This alternative is often used in artistic or freelance professions.

economically inactive

This alternative is a formal term used in economic contexts.

downsized

This alternative implies job loss due to company restructuring.

FAQs

How can I use "jobless" in a sentence?

You can use "jobless" to describe individuals without employment, such as: "The economic downturn left many people "jobless" and seeking new opportunities."

What are some alternatives to the word "jobless"?

Alternatives include "unemployed", "out of work", or "between jobs" depending on the specific context.

Is "jobless" or "unemployed" more appropriate in formal writing?

"Unemployed" is generally considered more formal and suitable for official documents and reports, while "jobless" can be used in more casual or general contexts.

What's the difference between being "jobless" and "seeking employment"?

"Jobless" simply describes the state of not having a job, while "seeking employment" implies active efforts to find a job. Someone who is jobless may or may not be actively seeking work.