unemployable

adjective

un·​em·​ploy·​able ˌən-im-ˈplȯi-ə-bəl How to pronounce unemployable (audio)
Synonyms of unemployablenext
: lacking the skills, abilities, or qualities that are necessary for becoming or remaining employed
unemployability
ˌən-im-ˌplȯi-ə-ˈbi-lə-tē How to pronounce unemployable (audio)
noun
unemployable noun

Examples of unemployable in a Sentence

His drug addiction has made him unemployable.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
But then Markey began to have the usual doubts of an unemployable hack. — Howie Carr, Boston Herald, 5 Dec. 2025 It was founded by a bunch of twentysomething slackers who were, by traditional metrics, unemployable anywhere else. — Scott Dikkers, Air Mail, 20 Dec. 2025 Turn employed lawful immigrants who contribute billions in taxes into the legally unemployable. — Suzanne Gamboa, NBC news, 3 Feb. 2026 America is having a collective freakout about jobs — specifically, that soon AI will do everything and leave everyone unemployable. — Allison Schrager, Twin Cities, 8 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for unemployable

Word History

First Known Use

1887, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of unemployable was in 1887

Rhymes for unemployable

See All Rhymes for unemployable

Browse Nearby Words

unemployability
unemployable
unemployed
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Cite this Entry

“Unemployable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unemployable. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

unemployable

adjective
un·​em·​ploy·​able ˌən-im-ˈplȯi-ə-bəl How to pronounce unemployable (audio)
: not capable of being employed
especially : not capable of holding a job
unemployable noun

More from Merriam-Webster on unemployable

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for unemployable

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