jobless
UK: ˈdʒɒbləs | US: ˈdʒɑːbləs
adj. without paid employment; unemployed
adj. (of a period or situation) characterized by a lack of jobs
The word "jobless" combines "job," derived from Middle English gobbe (a lump or piece of work), with the suffix "-less," from Old English -lēas (meaning "without"). The term emerged in the early 19th century to describe the state of being unemployed, reflecting industrialization's impact on labor dynamics. The morpheme "job" evolved from a general sense of "task" to its modern meaning of "paid work," while "-less" consistently denotes absence.
After the factory closed, many workers became jobless.
The jobless rate has risen sharply during the economic crisis.
She volunteered at a shelter to support jobless youth.
Jobless benefits help bridge the gap during unemployment.
His jobless status made it difficult to afford rent.