What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
disoccupied
Example
The disoccupied office was being prepared for the new employee. [disoccupied: adjective]
Example
The disoccupied time allowed her to catch up on some reading. [disoccupied: adjective]
Example
The position remained disoccupied for several months before being filled. [disoccupied: adjective]
vacant
Example
The vacant lot was overgrown with weeds. [vacant: adjective]
Example
The company had a few vacant positions that needed to be filled. [vacant: adjective]
Example
He stared at her with a vacant expression, not really listening. [vacant: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Vacant is more commonly used than disoccupied in everyday language. Vacant is a versatile word that can be used in various contexts, while disoccupied is less common and may be limited to specific technical or formal contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between disoccupied and vacant?
While both disoccupied and vacant can be used in formal contexts, disoccupied may sound more technical or specialized due to its less common usage.