unemploymentnoun [ U ]
uk/ˌʌn.ɪmˈplɔɪ.mənt/us/ˌʌn.ɪmˈplɔɪ.mənt/B1 the number of people who do not have a job that provides money:
Unemployment has fallen/risen again for the third consecutive month.
the state of being unemployed
US → unemployment benefit
More examples
- Over half his speech was devoted to the issue of unemployment.
- The problems of poverty, homelessness and unemployment are all interconnected.
- We are firmly committed to reducing unemployment.
- long-term unemployment
- These decisions have had to be taken against a background of high unemployment.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Unemployment
- dole
- down-and-out
- idle
- job centre
- jobless
- jobseeker's allowance
- JSA
- NEET
- sign
- sign on
- the unwaged
- unemployed
- vagabond
- welfare
You can also find related words, phrases, and synonyms in the topics:
Types of employment
Social security & state benefits
Grants & allowances