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unemploymentthe state of being without a job

Part of speech: NOUN

Definition: the state of being without a job

Pronunciation (IPA): /ˌʌnɪmˈplɔɪmənt/

Example Sentences

  • After graduating, he experienced unemployment for six months before finding his dream job.
  • The robot revolution caused unemployment among factory workers, but created new jobs for robot therapists.
  • Government policies aim to reduce youth unemployment through job training programs.

unemployment

NOUN

[/ˌʌnɪmˈplɔɪmənt/]

the state of being without a job

Rising unemployment affected many families in the town.
💡 Concept

Rising unemployment affected many families in the town.

Unemployment increased after the factory shut down. (UN + EMPLOYMENT = UNEMPLOYMENT → without employment)
🧠 Mnemonic

Unemployment increased after the factory shut down. (UN + EMPLOYMENT = UNEMPLOYMENT → without employment)

From unemployment to employment, life regained enjoyment.
🎵 Rhyme

From unemployment to employment, life regained enjoyment.

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🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/ˌʌnɪmˈplɔɪmənt/
🇬🇧 UK/ˌʌnɪmˈplɔɪmənt/

🌳Etymology

Prefixun--
Rootemploy
Suffix--ment

Origin

The word emerged from the combination of the prefix 'un-' (meaning 'not') and the verb 'employ' (from Old French 'employer', meaning 'to use' or 'to engage in work'), plus the suffix '-ment' denoting a state or condition. It became established as an economic term following the Industrial Revolution, when labor markets developed and the concept of joblessness required formal designation.

Breakdown

un- (not, negation) + employ (to hire or put to work, from Old French 'employer') + -ment (a state or condition, from Latin '-mentum'). Together these form 'the state of not being employed'.

🎵Rhyme

employmentdeploymentenjoyment
employment
deployment
enjoyment

🔗Collocations

high unemployment
unemployment rate
unemployment benefits
mass unemployment
unemployment crisis
tackle unemployment
rising unemployment

📝Examples

After graduating, he experienced unemployment for six months before finding his dream job.

😄 Fun example

The robot revolution caused unemployment among factory workers, but created new jobs for robot therapists.

Government policies aim to reduce youth unemployment through job training programs.

😄 Fun example

My cat has been facing unemployment since the invention of automatic mouse traps.

📚Related Words

Synonyms

joblessnessworklessnessidleness

Antonyms

employmentworkoccupation

Related

recessioneconomylaborjob marketcareer

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