What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
jobless
Example
After being laid off, he became jobless for several months. [jobless: adjective]
Example
She is currently jobless and looking for work. [jobless: adjective]
unemployed
Example
He was unemployed for six months before finding a new job. [unemployed: adjective]
Example
The unemployment rate in the city has risen due to the pandemic. [unemployment: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Unemployed is more commonly used than jobless in everyday language and is the preferred term in formal contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between jobless and unemployed?
Unemployed is more formal than jobless and is the preferred term in formal contexts such as academic writing or official documents.
